Mickey Arthur is now on his final assignment with Sri Lanka in Galle in the Test series against West Indies. File photo[/caption]
He says Sri Lanka’s cricket is in a better place now than when he started. Okay. What did really happen during his two-year tenure? Here is a statistical analysis for our readers’ assimilation.
“Sad that it is the end of the road with SL after the WI Test series! I have loved every minute of coaching this great country! To the players and people of SL a big thank you! I know SL cricket is in a better place now than when I started!” - Mickey Arthur
# Arthur’s coaching staff included Grant Flower (as Batting Coach), David Saker (Bowling Coach who left the position early 2021 to take up as Head Coach of Melbourne Renegades at the men’s Big Bash League in Australia), and Shane McDermott (Fielding Coach).
# Later, Piyal Wijetunga (Spin Bowling Coach since July 2021 India tour of Sri Lanka) and Chaminda Vaas (Fast Bowling Coach since March 2021 Sri Lanka tour of West Indies) joined the Sri Lanka coaching staff.
MICKEY ARTHUR -
(A) OVERALL RECORD - 1 Dec. 2019 to 20 Nov. 2021 (up to two-match Test series in Galle, which is his last assignment)
Mickey Arthur took over from Chandika Hathurusingha in December 2019 as Sri Lanka Head Coach for a two-year period (Dec. 2019-Dec. 2021). That time he was in a short-team contract with Central Stags in the Super Smash T20 league in New Zealand since September 2019
Arthur’s overall period - (from 1 Dec. 2019 - 20 Nov. 2021)
55 Matches / Won 17 / Lost 31 / Drawn 5 / No Result 2 / Win-Loss Ratio 0.548*
Formats Breakdown - 1 Dec. 2019 to 20 Nov. 2021:
* Tests - 12 Matches / Won 2 / Lost 5 / Drawn 5 / Win-Loss Ratio 0.400
* ODIs - 18 Matches / Won 7 / Lost 10 / No Result 1 / Win-Loss Ratio 0.700
* T20Is - 25 Matches / Won 8 / Lost 16 / No Result 1 / Win-Loss Ratio 0.500
(B) RECORD FROM 1 DEC. 2019 TO JUNE-JULY 2021 ENGLAND TOUR
This is a period where there was no major structural changes that had taken place in the Sri Lanka national ranks. No leadership changes. Generally the Sri Lanka’s record across all formats continued to be poor, extending the dismal run that was evident since 2015-16.
Arthur’s initial period - (from 1 Dec. 2019 - 4 July 2021)
35 Matches / Won 7 / Lost 21 / Drawn 5 / No Result 2 / Win-Loss Ratio 0.333
Formats Breakdown - (from 1 Dec. 2019 to 4 July 2021:
* Tests - 12 Matches / Won 2 / Lost 5 / Drawn 5 / Win-Loss Ratio 0.400
* ODIs - 12 Matches / Won 4 / Lost 7 / No Result 1 / Win-Loss Ratio 0.571
* T20Is - 11 Matches / Won 1 / Lost 9 / No Result 1 / Win-Loss Ratio 0.111
(C) RECORD FROM JUNE-JULY 2021 ENGLAND TOUR UPTO 20 NOV. 2021
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Did this disappointing incident in June this year in England become a major reason for the change of fortune in Sri Lanka’s cricket in recent time, rather than any other thing?[/caption]
Many structural changes took place in the national ranks since July 2021. Three leading players were banned from the game on disciplinary grounds and newcomers took their place. National selectors went for a clear youth policy whilst leaving aside a few seniors. White-ball cricket captaincy went to Dasun Shanaka.
Arthur’s latter period - (from 5 July 2021 - 20 Nov. 2021)
20 Matches / Won 10 / Lost 10 / Drawn - / No Result 0 / Win-Loss Ratio 1.000
Formats Breakdown - (from 5 July 2021 - 20 Nov. 2021):
* Tests - 0 Matches
* ODIs - 6 Matches / Won 3 / Lost 3 / Win-Loss Ratio 1.000
* T20Is - 14 Matches / Won 7 / Lost 7 / Win-Loss Ratio 1.000
(D) CONCLUSION:
Mickey Arthur’s coaching record drastically improves from July 2021 (win ration improves from 0.333 to 0.500). Those changes were not purely coaching, but (i) administrative (appointment of a new selection committee), (ii) structural (employing a new youth policy and change of captaincy etc), as well as (iii) accidental (three players being caught smoking in England which led to their banning)
Notes:
* The Win-Loss Ratio is found by dividing the number of wins by the number of losses. The ratio is more than the figure 1, only if there are more wins than losses
** ODIs=One-Day International
***T20Is=Twenty20 Internationals