DUBAI // Mahela Jayawardene is trying his hardest to prove he is not a goody-two shoes. "I don't honestly believe batsmen should walk," said the Sri Lankan captain, while polishing his halo at the Westin Hotel. He convinced no one. The fact he had just picked up the Spirit of Cricket Award on behalf of his side - for the second year running - at the ICC's annual prize-giving here on Wednesday evening shows the example he is setting.
The gong is presented to the team which, in the opinion of the elite panel of ICC umpires and match referees, have best conducted themselves on the field within the spirit of the game. Ironically, just after the votes had been cast, Jayawardene and his side did indulge in some less-than-becoming behaviour in a one-dayer against India. Gautam Gambhir, the Indian opener, was given a fierce send-off by the Lankans, and Jayawardene revealed: "We felt that he was out and he didn't walk - and he knew that as well.
"We had a chat with him about it and he said not many people do [walk], so we respect him for that. I don't honestly believe batsmen should walk. It is just a way of putting pressure on the batsman and making him think about other things than what he should be thinking about. "Then they can make a mistake. You can do it in the right manner and still get under their skin. You don't have to push that button too much. You don't have to be ugly, you just have to do it in the right manner, so that you get your message across."
Jayawardene, 31, stresses the point that his players are just as aggressive on the field as the next team - but they are careful not to let that lapse into ugliness. "We are not ashamed of the way we play the game," the batsman added. "We are winning matches, being aggressive on the field, and playing the way we know how to play. What we have found in our camp is we have a lot more control over our performances, and get the job done by making sure our players play in the right spirit. You can't say we are not aggressive.
"Yes, we are aggressive, we are very competitive and want to win every game we play, but in a controlled manner. "The end result has to be getting the job done for our country. I think players are respecting each other quite well, but at the same time they are playing really hard, competitive cricket. "It is good to see that. It is important that, on and off the field, you have a good relationship." pradley@thenational.ae