Former Sri Lanka cricketer Kumar Sangakkara has expressed concern over the lack of consistency among the cricketers of the Sri Lanka cricket team.
Speaking while commentating during yesterday’s match against India, Sangakkara said that he is not surprised, but is clearly concerned, adding that Head Coach Chris Silverwood is also working on the matter.
“Chris is trying to lead the bowlers and the batters into more discussion of problem-solving in the middle of the field. How do you bowl in certain pitches? How do you take wickets? How do you then go to bowling really well defensively to try and retrain or restrict?” he said.
Sangakkara pointed out it is the same with the batters, adding, “how do you build partnerships? How do you maximize partnerships and bat a productive 50 overs in ODI cricket.”
Applauding Chris Silverwood, he further said that the Head Coach was doing a really good job leading these conversations, but needs the support and backing of everyone around him.
“It is something that needs to be set in the culture of the team. Not just on-and-off conversation. But as must be mirrored right through the national team, the management, and the administration going down to the A side,” Sangakkara said.
The former cricketer also pointed out that one of the key concerns has been fitness and that it has always been the case.
“There was a stringent expectation of fitness set in. A couple of years ago, where if you don’t pass your fitness test you wouldn’t be eligible to play. But the fitness standards and opinions around that have changed from time to time. A lot of chat on why one needs fitness when batters are scoring runs and bowlers are taking wickets,” he revealed.
Sangakkara said the answer is right here before us, adding, “it is very plain to see you can’t sustain run-scoring, wicket-taking, or the presence on the field.”
The former cricketer also said that the Sri Lanka cricket team’s current fitness levels are way behind the current international standards and requirements.
Kumar Sangakkara revealed that it is essential to make the cricketer understand that to be on the international stage fitness is non-negotiable and it is all about sustained excellence.
He added that Sri Lanka is not yet close to those benchmarks and that they need to work hard. (NewsWire)