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| Tuesday, 16 March 2004 |
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Egg on the face Comment by Dr. Elmo Rodrigopulle In this column last week, when it was known that Sri Lanka was going in with one fast bowler and three spinners, because the Galle International Cricket Stadium wicket was made for spin, we said that apparently desperation has crept into the Lankan camp. We said that the wicket has been made for Muralitheran, but that the Aussies have two spin scuds Warne and MacGill whose spin too would be difficult to counter. We also said that if the ploy backfires, it would be egg on the face. And has it finally turned out to be, it was egg on the face with Sri Lanka home for team on the final day, losing the first Test by a massive margin of 197 runs. Not only did Sri Lanka go in with three spinners - Muralitheran, Dharmasena and Chandana. When you add Samaraweera and Jayasuriya it makes five spinners. If this is not an unbalanced attack then tell me what is. For this ridiculous picking the selectors must certainly be offered a bouquet. The Aussies, although they knew that the wicket was made for spin, yet played two fast men in Gillespie and Kasprovicz. They went in with three spinners, Shane Warne, Stuart MacGill and Andrew Symonds. What a balanced attack. When going in spin heavy, it is vital that the toss be won. In the circumstances, the way the Aussies batted after winning the toss,would have made the Lankan camp think that it was a good toss to lose. After blunting Muralitheran in the one-dayers complacency seemed to have set in to the Aussie batting and Muralitheran capitalised to send them reeling to be all out for 220 and saving Tillekeratne the blushes of having lost the toss. Having gained the upper hand in dismissing the Aussies for 220, what the Lankan batsmen had to do was to bat for as long as possible, put up a big score and make sure that they do not bat a second time. This is because batting fourth would be a nightmare with the wicket taking spin and with Warne and MacGill to contend. But our batsmen seemed to be in a big hurry and although they gained a lead of 160 they gave the Aussies all the time they needed to force a decision. Learning from their first innings, debacle the Aussie batsmen put their heads down and after erasing the arrears, went on to pile on the agony and finally left Sri Lanka a big 353 to win. With the wicket crumbling and with Jayasuriya and Samaraweera, not fully fit to bat winning was out of the question and what was sad was that we were incapable of saving the Test. Now having been mauled on a spinners wicket, it would be interesting to know who the bright sparks were who wanted a wicket like this prepared. Anyway the bottom line is that Sri Lanka lost and that certainly is not good for the game. Murali still 4 short In a way it was good that Muralitheran was not first to reach the 500 wicket mark. He will now have the opportunity of savouring this achievement in his home town in the Second Test. With the off spinner having done so much for the game here, it is but right that he be made the vice captain and if this opportunity is given him, it would be double celebration when he captures his 500th Test wicket. Would the selectors dare? Although Muralitheran played his part to perfection having a match bag of 10 wickets, it was of little significance because the batsmen let him down. Warne fantastic Leg spinning sensation Shane Warne coming back after serving his suspension of 12 months, proved the adage that - you cannot keep a good man down. Warne who looks in the pink of fitness, seems to have got back his urge for the game and taking wickets, the way he mesmerised our batsmen. Jeering seems to spur him. Silly critics would want to bash Warne by saying that he has played 20 or more Tests than Muralitheran and that his getting to 500 hundred wickets before Muralitheran was no big deal. They reason so, probably ignorant of the fact that Warne's art of bowling - leg spin, googly, flipper, top spin is the more difficult than that of off spin. A look round would show that there are a surfeit of off spinners and dearth of leg spinners. 'Failures are the pillars of success' Apparently the Sri Lanka selectors seem to be firm believers of the adage that 'Failures are the pillars of success'. If this is not so how can one explain their keenness to keep playing those who continue to fail. By not blooding those who are knocking on the door, the selectors are only frustrating the youngsters and if the selectors continue in this vein, it won't be long before the youngsters take to some other sport. Sri Lanka's number one wicket keeper instead of facing the Aussies has been conveniently sent to New Zealand with the 'A' team and those inefficient in this aspect continue to be gloved. Fielding all wrong It was shocking to see players of the calibre of Sanath Jayasuriya and Muttiah Muralitheran stopping balls that were heading to the boundary with their feet. Need we tell them the risks involved. Aren't they professionals? While congratulating Hayden, Martyn and Lehman for their grand centuries, they along with Ponting and Gilchrist could score much more if they cut out playing the sweep shot against the spin. Chaminda Vaas is a world class opening bowler and it was a pity to watch him being innocuous for want of support from the other end. Need we tell the selectors that fast bowlers hunt in pairs. Nuwan Zoysa the allrounder and the only bowler to take a hat-trick in Test cricket must be allowed to partner Vaas and support him. Apropos my mention of Horatius last week, Horatius was the legendary Roman hero in C 508. He and two companions are said to have held the Sublician Bridge - the only reaching bridge across the Tiber against the invading Etruscan Publious. |
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