As an aggressive batsman, economical bowler and brilliant fielder, Jayasuriya has been one of the MVPs in ODIs. His batting with Kaluwitharana along with a strong batting lineup made sure that SL became the best ODI side by 1996. But instances of aggressive batting by opening batsmen were there earlier also. He was not the first one to start it.
Srikkanth used to bat for India aggressively from his debut v SL to his retirement after 1992 World Cup. In between he had also taken the attack to the opposition singlehandedly. His batting was instrumental in India winning the Wolrd Championship of Cricket in 1985 and reaching the semi finals in 1987 World Cup along with a few other series wins. Greatbatch attacked as an opener in 1992 World Cup league matches. He was basically not a regular opener, but was used as a pinch hitter by Martin Crowe and it clicked in the NZ pitches. But attacking opening batting, with aggressive strokeplay by both batsmen was first seen in 1996 World Cup. That is how SL took advantage in the first 15 overs.
As an aggressive batsman, economical bowler and brilliant fielder, Jayasuriya has been one of the MVPs in ODIs. His batting with Kaluwitharana along with a strong batting lineup made sure that SL became the best ODI side by 1996. But aggressive batting by openers was there earlier also. He was not the first one to start it.
Srikkanth used to bat for India aggressively from his debut v SL to his retirement after 1992 World Cup. In between he had also taken the attack to the opposition singlehandedly. His batting was one of the key factors in India winning the Wolrd Championship of Cricket in 1985 and reaching the semi finals in 1987 World Cup along with a few other series wins. Greatbatch attacked as an opener in 1992 World Cup league matches. He was basically not a regular opener, but was used as a pinch hitter by Martin Crowe and it clicked in the NZ pitches. But attacking opening batting, with aggressive strokeplay by both batsmen was first seen in 1996 World Cup. That was how SL took advantage in the first 15 overs.
contributes a world cup win by Sri-Lanka, a team which was not counted to be a good one-day team a few months ago won the world cup in 1996 due to opening partnership between jaya and kaluwithrana. their batting style changed the batting style during first fifteen overs. it was a complete sweep of the matches during world cup.
jaya surely redefined the scoring of the initial 15 overs powerplay where he made his team get 8 rpo to take it to around 120, which subsequently made making even 300 runs an easy task.
he definitely redefined the powerplay game. n now with extra 5 overs powerplay, 350 has become common n achievable total.
When I started watching cricket in the mid-80's there were only 2 sub-continental powers - India and Pak.
Matches against SL were practice matches for Ind and Pak before they played each other or other cricketing powers.
That is till Arjuna led a confident bunch of men to India to play the 1996 WC. Apart from Ranatunga there were lesser mortals like Aravinda De Silva, Roshan Mahanama and a certain Sanath Jayasuriya. Their first match against India was written off as another walk in the park for Azhar and co. More so when India posted around 270 plus runs on the board (a big score by the standards of the time)
What happened then is stuff of cricket folklore. SL went on to win the match and the WC without losing a game. Sanath became a terror overnight.
The lesson to be learned from the SL team under Arjuna is determination, concentration and dedication - as was evident from the way the batters faced the bowlers, the bowlers delivered each ball and their superlative efforts on the field.
jaya -34 MOM in odi. tendu-60 MOM in odi. Now decide who was bigger match winner??????? regarding test match ,jayasuriya was not even ganguly calibre, forget comparing to GOD.
Re: jaya vs tendu!!!!!
by SK on Dec 26, 2009 10:27 PM
You miss the point binay. Nobody wants to compare Sanath with Sachin or Saurav. That their names start with the same alphabet and that they do the same profession are the only similarities.
Truth be told: Jayasuriya DID re-define an openers role - and that too to the extend that at one point, the mere sight of Jayasuriya taking stance at the crease meant that Srilanka won another ODI.
In my reckoning Sanath is as much a great as Sachin, Sourav or Lara.
Re: Re: jaya vs tendu!!!!!
by Hemanathan on Dec 26, 2009 10:41 PM
Yes... Sanath is not technically perfect batsmen like Lara or Sachin or Saurav. His job is give big starts and he is very successfull in his career. You cant compare Sanath, Sachin and I would like to have Mark Waugh, Anwar and Hayden in this list. They are standout players They are the one of the best openers in this era.
Re: sehwag is the best batsman
by Truth on Dec 26, 2009 10:46 PM
He is a great bestman if he stays on the wicket. I am sure that he can not break Sachin's record. You want to bet?
Re: Changed
by binay das on Dec 26, 2009 07:58 PM
wow,yes........ that why the great jayasuriya is getting dropped but the female voiced player selects himself.
hope u understand that much of english ,if nothing else.
Re: Re: Changed
by binay das on Dec 26, 2009 08:01 PM
To add on this selfish......... jayasuriya is most unselfish player ever playing at 40 and batting like geffrey boycot grandmom.
and not allowing junior to get change...WOW case of giving some "unselfish award"
Sanath Jayasurya will be remembered as one among few best hitters in cricket among Richards, Sachin, Sehwag, Kapil Dev, Gilchrist, Hayden etc,. They were true entertainers and crowd pullers.
