by Srian Obeyesekere
Sri Lankan cricket coach Roy Dias summed up the country's successful tour of England by these words, "It was all team work. The captain, the players, the manager, coach and physiotherapist. It was a collective effort."

Dias, the former Sri Lankan Test cricketer, who dazzled during his time as one of the best No. 3 batsmen produced by the country, said that when he took over the coaching reins from Australian Bruce Yardley, he had started his first assignment on a losing note in the first test match against New Zealand before coming back from behind to clinch that series 2-1.

"That defeat in the first test made us that much sharper," said Dias who said that he would not say he had done wonders as a coach in this short span or that his predecessor had fared badly. "I won't say that he (Yardley) did badly," commented Dias whose experience as a local coach has begun to yield results. Sri Lanka has won both its tour exchanges against New Zealand and England including the triangular one-day Emirates Championship since Dias took over as coach. Dias, said that he had worked hard mainly in one area, the fielding on the England tour where 'we did a little extra fielding'. "The batsmen were asked to play their natural game. You can't change one's style. For instance Kaluvitharana has to play his own game. What I told them was not to take too many risks in a Test Match unlike the one-day game," commented Dias.

BEST CAPTAIN IN THE WORLD
The coach gave all the credit to Arjuna Ranatunga whom he thus described, 'cricket-wise, Arjuna is the best captain in the world.' Arjuna handled every situation very well on the England tour. You could see it from the way he handled Murali whom he switched from time to time in the England second innings from one end to another when England were trying to shield Darren Gough", he added.

On the decision in putting England in after winning the toss, Dias said that it was 'a collective idea which proved O.K. for us.' The start of the tour had not been auspicious. "The weather was very bad. Naturally, the boys felt very bad. When the weather improved, they improved. The boys also soon got used to the cold conditions," noted the coach.

JUNIORS WERE GIVEN EXPOSURE
He stressed that importantly, every player on tour had got the exposure of playing instead of having to sit out, saying, "In most of the build-up matches, the juniors like Russel Arnold, Chandrika Hathurusinghe and Mario Villevarayan were given exposure with the seniors by consent sitting out. Most of the guys played," stressed Dias who said that the idea had been to give the 18-member squad every possible exposure on the England tour at gaining experience.

SANATH ALWAYS GOOD
As to the comeback to form of Sanath Jayasuriya, the coach said, "I always thought Sanath was batting well although not getting good starts, but got out to brilliant balls. I can say he showed the English how to play cricket."

Asked as to what preparations would be made for the forthcoming World Cup in England, Dias said, "We have a general idea now. But we are not getting carried away. We proved we can play in any conditions. We don't have to worry. We have the talent. I think the selectors might get a pool ready. We have all discussed what we should do. The captain, manager Ranjit Fernando, Aravinda, Sanath. But before that we have three tours before us, Sharjah, Bangladesh and Australia.

Opening batsman, Marvan Atapattu, who struck a match winning unbeaten century in the Emirates Trophy final against England, was also in the high esteem of the coach who said, "His techniques was an example to all." Dias also stressed that no batsman was a specialist one-day batsman or Test batsman adding, "To me they are batsmen at both levels as was proved on this tour.'

Asked about the form of leg spinner, Niroshan Bandaratilleke who played a decisive role in Sri Lanka's home Test series triumph over New Zealand, Dias pointed out that he could not find the same turn as at home 'because English wickets won't turn that much.' " Niroshan as such, could not extract turn. But Murali was fortunate for his ability to bowl on any wicket. He bowled 120 overs in the Test match without any strain".

FEELS SORRY FOR LLOYD
Asked for his comments on England coach, David Lloyd's disparaging comments as to Muralitheran's bowling action which was roundly criticised by the British media itself, Dias said: "I feel sorry for Lloyd. He apologised . I'm a coach. He's a coach. I feel I should look after my players."

The Lankan coach was of course mindful of the weak area in the team, the pace bowling department. Suresh Perera had proved to be quite a find who had to be built up with the correct guidance. Promodya Wickramasinghe had been satisfying. The impending comeback of key pacie Chaminda Vaas for Sharjah and Nuwan Zoysa who was being nursed back to make the tour to Australia was expected to gradually supplement that department.

Dias, in conclusion, stressed the role of Australian physio, Alex Kontouri as well which contributed to the team's fitness.