Senior players need to take responsibility – Mahela

Wednesday, 12 October 2011 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

ESPNcricinfo: Mahela Jayawardene, the former Sri Lanka captain, has said the senior players in the team have the responsibility of ending Sri Lanka’s recent struggles in Tests while at the same time nurturing the next generation of cricketers. Sri Lanka’s last Test victory came at Galle against India in July 2010 and this year they have lost series away to England and at home to Australia.

“I think it’s our responsibility (as senior players) to make sure that it is a smooth transitional period and at the same time try to build another team for the next 10 years,” Jayawardene said in a release issued by Dubai Sports City. “We might not be here for that long but while we are we have to make sure that we build a team, make sure that these guys are comfortable and they will take Sri Lanka cricket on for the next 10 to 15 years and try and improve on what everyone else has done.

“I think we’ve achieved quite a bit in Sri Lanka cricket in the past 20 years, there are a lot of people who are part and parcel of that and we have carried that forward, and hopefully the next generation will do the same.”

Sri Lanka will have a chance to break their losing streak when they take on Pakistan in three Tests in the UAE, the first of which starts on October 18, and Jayawardene said the team remains positive despite its current barren run. “Yes, we haven’t won a Test match for a good year-and-a-half, but I think we’ve played some really good cricket and we have had our opportunities. We just need to push a bit more and create a few more opportunities and grab hold of them.”

Jayewardene also admitted the retirement of Muttiah Muralitharan - the spinner’s last Test was also Sri Lanka’s last win - has been difficult to overcome. “Murali has taken 800 Test wickets, the most by any bowler in world cricket, so you know that with him in the side he is going to create something for you, even in tougher situations.

“Most of the time he breezes through line-ups, but even in tough times he is going to create that opportunity for you to change the game, he is a magician, and obviously without him it’s a big hole to fill.”

Sri Lanka have turned to offspinner Suraj Randiv and left-arm spinner Rangana Herath to fill Mural’s shoes, and Jayawardene said the pair need to carry that mantle. “There are a couple of young spinners who have played with Murali and have performed really well and who now have to take the burden and carry the attack.”

Sri Lanka will play three Tests, five One-day Internationals and a Twenty20 International against Pakistan.