BY T.M. SAMAT
AFTER his team's rousing triumph Sunday over England, the question over the retention of
Hashan Tillekeratne as captain of the Test team ought to become less controversial. His
surprise selection some six months ago, ahead of heir apparent Marvan Atapattu, wasn't quite
universally popular. And when, after seven Test matches it became evident that Sri Lanka was
incapable of winning - even the winnable - under his leadership, inevitably, the call for his head
hit high decibels. The cry was never louder than after the Galle and Kandy Tests, where Sri
Lanka pushed on to the gates of victory but failed to make the crossing.
If the Colombo Test had turned out to be no different to the previous two, then, there's little doubt
he would've been served with his retirement papers. But last Sunday that prospect receded into
the distant background, at least until the series against Australia unravels next February-March.
For the time being though, Tillekeratne's leadership is safe.
It is only fair that it should be so. After all, deposing a captain under whom the country managed
its first series triumph over England would be an illogical decision, smacking of prejudice - never
mind that, whether he is an ideal choice or not provides for rich debate. Much of the criticism of
his leadership in the first two Tests was justified, but to continue to harp over it and grudge him
his due in triumph would be churlish. In calling his teammates to share in the celebratory
acceptance of the trophy, he of course acknowledged that it had been the team more than he
that earned success. As far as personal contributions, his' was insignificant. But in recording Sri
Lanka's biggest ever Test win and in the process inflicting on England their third worst defeat in
history, it would be uncharitable not to acknowledge the part captaincy played.
The view of his leadership in Galle and Kandy was unanimously negative. In Colombo, it was
more effective, though any suggestion that the overwhelming triumph was brought about by
leadership dynamism would be a huge exaggeration. The vast disparity in the performances of
the teams and the facileness with which victory was accomplished might suggest that the
captain's job had been a sinecure. But that is to forget how the disadvantages of losing the toss
and Atapattu's batting were overcome.
The England openers set off like a house on fire, raising visions of a leather hunt and a long
battle for survival for the Sri Lankans. Any offer of an English total of 350 would've been
agreeably acceptable to the Sri Lankans in that opening hour when Vaughan and especially
Trescothick dismembered the new-ball bowlers. Muralitheran might have plugged the spate, but
the eventual rationing down of England's first innings total to 265 could not have happened
without Tillekeratne's handling of his bowlers. He didn't ask Muralitheran to trundle on for lengthy
spells, as normally happens in long hours of desperation. Rather, he used him in relatively
briefer spells; a move that preserved the off-spinner's mystery than his prolonged exposure
would. Just when the batsmen seemed to be coping with the wizard, he was put back in the
freezer. On his return, the batsmen had to unthaw themselves all over again to cope with the
magician. Throwing Muralitheran in to many brief battles looks to be more profitable than
engaging him longer confrontations when batsmen get accustomed to ways of coping with him.
Excellent foil
Then, there was the matter of rearranging the batting line following Atapattu's disability. If form
were the criteria then Dilshan, centurion of a week ago, would've been the obvious filler, either as
opener or no.3. But Tillekeratne was more imaginative. He slots Sangakkara with Jayasuriya.
Both belters whose pairing at the top might have suited better the ways of one-day. And when
they set about their job as if 50 overs were all that was allowable, a huge psychological point
was scored over England. It made the point the pitch had nothing of what their fumbling batsmen
tried to make out and we weren't going to lose the fortunes in a featherbed.
It was a cracking good start, but to continue with the belting, which would've been the case had
Dilshan been slotted at no.3, would've been risky. So, Samaraweera it was. He had never batted
before at no.3 in international cricket, but experience was not a consideration. To neutralize the
all-attack start, Tillkeratne clearly aimed at stability thereafter. And the stoical ways of
Samaraweera fitted that bill. Runs will never cascade from the stolid right-hander's bat. But his
grinding approach to run making can reduce the opposition to tears and impotency. And that's
just what happened to England as they helplessly waited, sans will, sans purpose, for the
breaks to come. An excellent foil he was to the enterprising Jayewardene. Together they set up
for a collection of 600-plus, a total that made only one outcome possible. The question was not
whether Sri Lanka would win, but when. That it came after only 68 overs was staggering, but it
goes to prove that a team determined to profit on early gains is hard to contain. England knew
they were put out of the game on the third day and from then on played under the white flag of
surrender.
Being the first Test win in 16 months, the euphoria is excusable. But it would be advisable to
see the 1/0 win without rose-tinted glasses. The opposition was no where near the world's best.
Frankly, India or Pakistan on home shores would've made mince meat of this woefully
inadequate English outfit. In fact there has to be repentance why the series ended 1/0 rather
than two or 3/0. The weather wasn't as an influential reason as over cautiousness that prevented
imminent victories in the first two Tests. Clearly, Tillekerante was willing to turn his thoughts to
victory only after getting into a situation where he can't lose. This explains his delayed
declaration in Galle and the deployment of more than the required number to patrol the
boundaries as England fought for survival in Kandy. He adhered to the command: thou shalt not
lose.
Strangling collar
In Colombo, however, his team had rushed to a position of utter strength by the third day. With a
365-run lead, he had enough in the bank to gamble on boldness. He threw a strangling collar of
close-in fielders around the English batsmen, which clearly hastened their demise. One hopes
Tillekeratne's leadership will be emboldened by the handsome success in Colombo, and the
diffidence of Galle and Kandy is shed. The Australians play it the bold way and we'll have to
match it in like manner.
Tillkeratne undeniably has earned his keep for the next series, though, an extension beyond that
would have to be on the basis of what he makes out of the next encounter, against Australia, no
less. This much is clear: captaincy is no long-term appointment. The sort of terms Ranatunga
and Jayasuriya enjoyed is not likely to be granted to present-day candidates. And that's not a
bad thing. Tillkeratne knows Atapattu is snapping at his heels. And Atapattu knows that Mahela
Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara are not far behind him either.
