Kumar Sangakkarra under-rated

[Craig]

Does anybody consider him under-rated? I do.

Certaintly a fine player and good enough to open or bat at 3.

 

[Mister Wright]

I agree. It is just not his batting that is under-rated. In the first test he had it all over 'Gilly' in the wicket keeping stakes. One of the few Sri Lankan players I do like.

 

[masterblaster]

Agreed with both of you, a top quality player.

 

[Adamc]

Certainly underrated as a batsmen I think, perhaps because he has spent much of his international career as a wicketkeeper. He has proven that he can hold his place as a specialist batsmen, though he is a good keeper as well. The century in the 4th odi vs Aus was probably the best innings of the series IMO, looked invincible at one stage against Kasprowicz and Harvey.

One of the few Sri Lankan players I do like.

What's wrong with the rest of them?

 

[Craig]

I agree. It is just not his batting that is under-rated. In the first test he had it all over 'Gilly' in the wicket keeping stakes. One of the few Sri Lankan players I do like.

So without his batting , Gilchrist not good enough with the gloves?

 

[Armadillo]

Im surprised at all of these views as I personally think that Sangakarra is slightly ove , Ive always been a Kalu fan and i believe he should keep

 

[Tom Halsey]

What?

Kalu's batting let him down.

 

[Mister Wright]

So without his batting , Gilchrist not good enough with the gloves?

Not the best gloveman in country, definately the best keeper-batsman.

I'm sure Secombe could have at least scored 5 runs for the test and would have kept better IMO.

 

[Mister Wright]

What's wrong with the rest of them?

Just thought most of them are over-rated. Just living off the glory of the '96 World Cup. Plus they play boring cricket IMO (in tests).

 

[tooextracool]

Just thought most of them are over-rated. Just living off the glory of the '96 World Cup. Plus they play boring cricket IMO (in tests).

the only person u could possible be referring to there is sanath jayasuriya

 

[Mister Wright]

the only person u could possible be referring to there is sanath jayasuriya

They don't have to have played in the '96 World Cup to be living off the glory of it. It's more of a culture thing.

 

[Craig]

the only person u could possible be referring to there is sanath jayasuriya

Jayasuriya isnt so abd. Good ODI player.

 

[Richard]

Sangakkara is a specialist batsman who has always played for Sri Lanka as such. He just keeps wicket in the frequent event that Kalu's batting lets him down. But IMO both of them are good enough to make the Test and ODI sides purely as batsmen. Kalu is a brilliant wicketkeeper, Sangakkara a very good one, so when they do both play, Kalu takes the gloves.
I don't think he should keep being made to open, it's failed every time they've tried it, for the simple reason he's not an opener. IMO best suited to batting five in both game forms - the natural succession to Ranatunga. I'd have Jaywardene at three in Tests and Atapattu in ODIs.
I think he is one of many good Sri Lankan players (Jayasuriya, Kaluwitharana, Atapattu, Dilshan, Sangakkara, Tillikeratne, Samaraweera, Dharmasena, Chaminda, Zoysa, Chandana, Lokourachchi [K], Chandana, and of course the obvious).

 

[Craig]

Sangakkara is a specialist batsman who has always played for Sri Lanka as such. He just keeps wicket in the frequent even that Kalu's batting lets him down. But IMO both of them are good enough to make the Test and ODI sides purely as batsmen. Kalu is a brilliant wicketkeeper, Sangakkara a very good one, so when they do both play, Kalu takes the gloves.
I don't think he should keep being made to open, it's failed every time they've tried it, for the simple reason he's not an opener. IMO best suited to batting five in both game forms - the natural succession to Ranatunga. I'd have Jaywardene at three in Tests and Atapattu in ODIs.
I think he is one of many good Sri Lankan players (Jayasuriya, Kaluwitharana, Atapattu, Dilshan, Sangakkara, Tillikeratne, Samaraweera, Dharmasena, Chaminda, Zoysa, Chandana, Lokourachchi [K], Chandana, and of course the obvious).

Lokuarachchi will be effective on spinning wickets. A bit like Cam White except he gets more flight and more bounce. Samaraweera's average is massively over inflated, a bit too defensive for me, and should try and look for a few more signles. Not always boundries.

Zoysa is a good bowler, probably their second best quick which doesnt speak volumes of their fast bowling depth. Chandana and Dharmasena are fine ODI cricketers.

Atapattu despite his five 200s and his perfect technique, still makes far too many low scores and ducks.

Should SRL play both Kalu and Sangakkara?

 

[Jono]

His innings in the 4th ODI was absolutely brilliant I was loving it. The most exciting thing about the SL vs. Aus tour so far. I do believe hes underrated.

 

[Mister Wright]

Should SRL play both Kalu and Sangakkara?

No. Despite what Richard says I think Sangakkara is the better keeper and he is obviously a much better batsman. While Sangakkara is successful as a batsman and a keeper he should do both. However if it becomes an Alec Stewart like situation where he would be a much better batsman if he weren't keeping, then I would play both, or Jayawardene as the keeper.

 

[Richard]

Lokuarachchi will be effective on spinning wickets. A bit like Cam White except he gets more flight and more bounce. Samaraweera's average is massively over inflated, a bit too defensive for me, and should try and look for a few more signles. Not always boundries.

Zoysa is a good bowler, probably their second best quick which doesnt speak volumes of their fast bowling depth. Chandana and Dharmasena are fine ODI cricketers.

Atapattu despite his five 200s and his perfect technique, still makes far too many low scores and ducks.

Should SRL play both Kalu and Sangakkara?

IMO yes:
Jaya
Kalu (wk)
Atap (cp)
Dilshan
Sangakkara
? (not M. Jayawardene)
Chandana \ Lokourachchi
Dharmasena
Vaas
Zoysa
Murali

Atap
Jaya
M. Jayawardene
Dilshan
Sangakkara ((wk))
Tillikeratne (cp)
Samaraweera \ Kalu (wk)
Chandana \ Dharmasena \ Lokourachchi
Vaas
Zoysa
Murali
Atapattu's Test record is indeed very disappointing. He is similar in a way to Fleming, especially of late. Too many low scores in between the real biggies.
Samaraweera is lucky in his Test batting average without doubt IMO, but still a Test-class player quite possibly.

 

[Craig]

No. Despite what Richard says I think Sangakkara is the better keeper and he is obviously a much better batsman. While Sangakkara is successful as a batsman and a keeper he should do both. However if it becomes an Alec Stewart like situation where he would be a much better batsman if he weren't keeping, then I would play both, or Jayawardene as the keeper.

Bit like the Jack Russell and Alec Stewart situtation? Russell the best 'keeper in the world for a number of years never played dued they want Stewart 'keeping.

Stewart was more then an acceptable 'keeper.

 

[twctopcat]

Sangakkara should def keep. His batting easily makes up for any remote deficiencies that may occur with the gloves, not that i think there are any noticeable ones. Still don't like him though, jabber's too much behind the stumps, makes some ridiculous appeals and seems to lack any sort of etiquette.

 

[tooextracool]

Atap
Jaya
M. Jayawardene
Dilshan
Sangakkara ((wk))
Tillikeratne (cp)
Samaraweera \ Kalu (wk)
Chandana \ Dharmasena \ Lokourachchi
Vaas
Zoysa
Murali

chandana, dharmasena and zoysa are far from being test standard...they wouldnt even make the bangladesh team