Kochi Tuskers Kerala skipper Mahela Jayawardene is looking for consistency as the debutant shapes up for an away game in IPL-IV.
“Everyone identifying his role is great for the team. We have enthusiastic international players, as well as keen young Indians. Most of them are keen on getting into the national team and work very hard. Hopefully we can play some consistent cricket.” Jayawardene was addressing the media at the team hotel on Tuesday.
STEPPING STONE
He talked about treating the IPL as a stepping stone to international cricket. “If they (Indian players) perform well, it gives them an opportunity to get back into the Indian team. A lot of these boys have done well over the last three IPL tournaments. I think Ravindra Jadeja had a very good game, R.P. (Singh) bowled well, so did Sreesanth. These guys are hungry for success, good for us.”
The Sri Lankan is of the opinion that the Kerala speedster, with a knack of landing in controversies, deserves careful handling. “I think you need to identify the individual. Sreesanth performs well in that manner. He is a very aggressive bowler, I have noticed he has toned down last one year, the reason he got to be a part of the Indian World Cup squad.”
The Kochi captain wants his main strike bowler to take the battle to the opposition. “We want him to be aggressive, that is what he is all about. I really don't want him to go away from that. You need characters in cricket. You had worse characters in international cricket in the past 20 years.”
Sreesanth's body language had got him into trouble in the past. Jayawardene's viewpoint is different. “I don't think he is that harmful to the game, If he can control himself, we can have for ourselves a good bowler, for Kochi as well for India. Sreesanth is heading in the right direction as long as he is doing that.”
The captain is happy to have mavericks like him to liven up the dressing room. “Brilliant to have Sreesanth around, he just needs to reduce the volume in his I-Pod as well as the speakers. The boys have given him new songs to play, we have some mixture going. With him and Murali around, nothing can go wrong for us.”
APPROACH TO SELECTION
Pune Warriors left-arm spinner Murali Kartik explained the team management's approach to selection. “We are looking at nine who can bat and bowl, apart from a batting line-up stretching to number 11.”
South African Alfonso Thomas is Murali's teammate at Somerset. “Thomas is very skilful all-rounder and knows what he's doing.”
He describes Wednesday's game as a “match between newcomers and old ones who have played the IPL for three years.”
Keywords: Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Jayawardene, Kochi Tuskers
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