Sri Lankans bite the dust

The New Zealand cricketers who took a bashing in the Two Test series losing both games to the Sri Lankans, came out a rejuvenated side to slap a two-nil Twenty20 defeat on the Sri Lankans.

Before going on to comment on the final Twenty20 game and the Kiwi victory, it would be good to contemplate on the wisdom of playing two matches be it Test, 50-over or Twenty20 cricket.

If a team wins both games well and good. But had the Lankans triumphed in the second game, the Compac Trophy would have been shared. New Zealand won the First one.

A trophy is on offer to be won. Sharing it is of little value. It then makes a mockery of teams playing two matches. The respective Cricket Boards must do a rethink and endeavour to play more than two games.

Kiwis delighted

The New Zealanders who were poor opponents to the Sri Lankans in the Two Test matches, must be pleased that they came back to dump the Sri Lankans in games, that could be best described as a mockery on the time honoured game of cricket - Twenty20.

The teams had shuffled their players for this style of game. But the Kiwis proved that they had the better players who could revel in this style of game and their two victories would have done their Twenty20 game a lot of good.

Daniel Vettori's side seemed to be better versed. They seemed to have planned their strategy very intelligently and executed it cleverly and caught the Lankans napping. There was little to choose between the two teams in the first game. But the second game was completely dominated by the Kiwis who romped top a 22-run victory.

McCallum back to form

Brendon McCallum who was no class in the Two Tests, came back strongly and when most needed to bat brilliantly and in keeping with his reputation, to blast a quick 49 and be involved in a devastating 84 run stand for the first wicket with Jesse Ryder.

In the Two Tests, McCallum seemed to have been overawed by the occasion and could not give free rein to his brilliant strokes that he is renowned for. He was a treat to watch when he was massacring the bowling in his knock.

Burly Jesse Ryder too was in great form smacking a superb 52. His two sixes further lit up the ground with spectators yelling for more of this kind of hitting. How he too failed to come good in the Test series is inexplicable.

Their stand of 84 for the first wicket was the platform for Ross Taylor, Martin Guptil and Jacob Oram to build on and when the Kiwis rattled up 170 in their 20 overs, the game was good as won.

Poor bowling

The Sri Lankan bowlers did not have it in them to restrict this onslaught by the Kiwi batsmen. Other than for spinners Ajantha Mendis and Sanath Jayasuriya who did their utmost in their endeavour to stop the flow of runs, the least said about the other bowlers the better.

In cricket that is limited in overs it is of paramount importance that the fielding, be more than brilliant. In this aspect the Lankans were the second best to the Kiwis. The homesters conceded too many overthrows and the three runs conceded in the last ball of the first game, proved costly and deprived them of what could have been a close victory. In the second game after the Kiwis notched up a massive 170, if the Lankans were to surpass that score, it was essential that openers Tillakaratne Dilshan and Sanath Jayasuriya bat in their belligerent best and give the batsmen following a platform to launch from.

But when Dilshan fell lofting a ball, unable to repeat his first match heroics and Mahela Udawatte went fooled by the pace of the wicket, followed by Jayasuriya who picked the wrong ball to go over the top and was caught and at 14 for 3, the Lankans were looking down the barrel.

Why the change?

Accepted that Udawatte is a new ball player. But why had he to be sent one drop when Mahela Jayawardena would have been a better option with his sound temperament and approach in situations.

With three wickets down early, it fell on two of the most eye-catching batsmen in world cricket Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakkara to try and salvage the damage and try and force a victory that would have enabled them to save face and share the spoils.

But try they did and that they failed was no fault of theirs. Jayawardena once again played a very responsible innings. He bats more freely these days and it was nice to see him playing some lovely and elegant strokes. His 41 was well made.

It fell on skipper Sangakkara, once Jayawardena went to attempt for victory. He played one of his better innings in running to 69, but sadly lacked support from the batsmen following. It was nice to see Shane Bond among the wickets again with 3 for 18.

Unpalatable

Losing both Twenty20 games would have been unpalatable to the Sri Lankans after their convincing victories in the Two Test matches. But those are the glorious uncertainties associated with this wonderful game and however unpalatable it cannot be helped.

Next will be the triangular series between Sri Lanka, New Zealand and India. It is hoped that the rains that have been threatening would not come down in buckets full and play the role of spoil sport. The 50-overs is a different ball game and the three teams will have to change their approach and the team able to hold their nerve and ride the pressure should come out victors.

The Lankans will do well to try and plonk in all-rounder Ferveez Mahroof into their firing squad. Mahroof was unfortunate to suffer injuries that made him lose his place in the squad.

It was a fit and raring to go Mahroof that one saw on the bench during the final Twenty20 game. It is hoped that selectors will endeavour to give him a go in the triangular. All-rounders of the class of Mahroof do not come often.