History was there for the making

It astonished everyone when the two captains Kumar Sangakkara and Younus Khan agreed to call off the final Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan with the 15 mandatory overs left to be bowled at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Friday.

Never has any team chased a score of 492 and succeeded in the history of the game. The opportunity was there for the Lankans to rewrite the record books. When the game was called off Sri Lanka required another 101 in 15 overs. The asking rate was around 7 runs per over.

At the outset we must state that we are not attempting to belittle or take skipper Sangakkara to task. He probably did what he thought was best. But he would not have been faulted, had he thrown caution to the winds and gone for that victory that would have registered an epic victory for the country. Sri Lanka began the final day needing another 309 runs for victory, on a wicket that would not have been getting better. That Sangakkara and Thilan Samaraweera and later Angelo Matthews batted with purpose and tenacity was admirable.

Having lost only the solitary wicket of Samaraweera during the day and being well placed to register an epic triumph, that had never before happened in the game, and with the world watching in amazement and cheering the Lankan approach and on their way to a memorable win, it stunned all when players started shaking each others hand signaling the end of the game with the 15 mandatory overs remaining.

Sangakkara is on record saying that he would have thought differently had he had a fully fit Tillakaratne Dilshan. Dilshan suffered a fracture to his index finger and then was unfortunate to see a ball creep through the visor of his helmet and hit him on the brow which required suturing. Had Sangakkara and Matthews played the way they would have played a Twenty20 game, the 101 runs in 15 overs would not have been a challenge or unattainable. They would not have been faulted had they had a go. For the Sri Lankans losing the Test would not have mattered considering that they had already wrapped up the Three Test series winning Two, at the Galle International Stadium and the newly named P.Sara Oval.

A win here would have shocked and stunned the cricket world and the esteem for the game would have rocketed to sky level. Had Sangakkara remembered that it is those who dare win, he would have taken the plunge.

Sangakkara as captain must always remember that winners are heroes and losers outcasts and that accepting the challenge and rewriting the record books, that are there to be rewritten would be pleasurable and would always be remembered.

Having said that we must congratulate skipper Sangakkara and his troops for the wonderful manner in which they played to pocket the Test series against Pakistan. The visitors on paper looked a formidable side when they arrived and the consensus was that they would be no easy meat.

But what unfolded once the series was called play was inexplicable..Pakistan went down tamely in the First Two Tests, which was unbecoming of them and which had their critics at home baying for their blood.

The critics could not understand how a team with such talent could succumb and be like lambs to the slaughter. The critics were convinced that infighting and factionalism were the causes for the defeat. But I would not be wrong in saying that that malaise is nothing new to their game. it is a malady that exists in several other teams. .

Sangakkara who took over from Mahela Jayawardena as captain of Sri Lanka has, up to now done a magnificent job. He has everything that could go to make him join the illustrious captains in world cricket who have led their countries with aplomb and great success.

As I mentioned earlier, he has so far had the Midas touch. It was just one of those things that he could not wear the ICC World Twenty20 championship belt after the tourney in England. That was because the players whom he relied on let him down. He has now won his first fling as captain in Test cricket by dumping the Pakistanis. But Sangakkara must guard against complacency that has been the downfall of many a champion and champion teams.

He must also remember, that while there could be years of plenty there could also come the years of famine. While victory could be sweet, defeat could be heart breaking. To quote Rudyard Kipling - If you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two impostors just the same... you would be a man my son.

Kookaburra ball found wanting

During the Test match it was nauseating to watch the number of times the ball was changed, and mind you just after about three overs with the new ball. This probably has never happened in Test cricket before. Obviously it can be assumed that inferior quality of Kookaburra balls were used. We are told that there are about 10 to 12 grades of Kookaburra balls being manufactured.

Were inferior balls being used? If so then a probe must be initiated to find the truth. It is a bad name on the manufacturers. Is it true that also the Kookaburra ball is now manufactured in China and sent to Australia? A probe could reveal all.Over to Sri Lanka Cricket.

The Cowboy game begins Thursday

Cowboy cricket which is what limited over and Twenty20 cricket has come to be called and it is nice to see the return of mauler Sanath Jayasuriya who seems to be getting better with age and what is interesting is to note the return of that mostly ignored leg spinning allrounder Malinga Bandara. But whether he would be given a go would be interesting to watch and the rodeo would begin at the Rangiri Dambulla Stadium on Thursday under lights.

How Bandara does not fit into the established game is a wonder. Here is one of those rare breeds who can win a match on his own with his wide repertoire of spinners. But that he cannot find a slot will always be a mystery.

The game will also see the return of Sahid Afridi to the Pakistan line up. He is always interesting to watch. He starred in their final victory in England in the ICC Twenty20 World Cup final and would want to give continuity to that form.

Sri Lanka won the Test series now they must hold aloft this trophy when the five-match series ends.