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Full Name: Denagamage Proboth Mahela de
Silva Jayawardene
M A 66 in his first Test, a century on a lively wicket at Galle in his fourth and a masterful 242 in the seventh proved that the hype that surrounded him on his debut, believing him to be the best Sri Lankan batsman to come through since Sanath Jayasuriya, was worth it. However, a lean patch, and an extended one at that, from 2000 through to 2002 meant that he couldn't fulfil the vacant number four spot made available after Aravinda de Silva's retirement. His patchy form led to constant change in batting positions, which deteriorated his chances of an effective comeback. His performances in ODIs fell to unacceptable levels,
which ultimately resulted in his axing following the 2003 World Cup. H He has continued in a decent run of form since
then but still has a lot more in him that needs to come out, but hasn't.
With the technique and the temperament he possesses, a Test average of
48 with 13 centuries and an ODI average of 31 is not what is expected.
If Sri Lankan cricket wants to reach to the levels they did back in 1996,
he has to contribute more than that.
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ahela
Jayawardene, despite his acceptable record, will always be one of those
players who showed immense potential initially to develop into a megastar,
but then didn't do that talent justice.
owever
some face-saving innings in Test matches through the latter half of the
2003 not only resulted in him re-gaining his spot on the ODI side, but
also elevated him to the position of vice-captain, and being tipped as
the next captain after Marvan Atapattu.