'Underdogs' bite South Africans

Cricket fans world over are enjoying that great treat of 'original' one day cricket as the ICC Champions Trophy tournament began with a shock - underdogs Sri Lanka humbling much fancied hosts South Africa by 55 runs on Tuesday night.

Though the Twenty20 cricket appeared to challenge, both the established game as well as the 50 overs-per-side one day internationals, it is the ODIs that keep both the thrill as well as talent equally.

At the first glance, Twenty20 looked more exciting and colourful and one wondered whether it would completely overshadow both the Tests and ODIs. But it seems that many have now realised that Twenty20 is only a money spinner and a mere entertainer and would hardly make any contribution to sharpen the skills of the age old wonderful game of cricket. But the current ICC Champions Trophy tournament in South African has injected new life to the game and giving fresh hopes for the bowers who have always been at the receiving end in Twenty20 cricket.

'Curtain raiser'

Tuesday night's 'curtain raiser' of the eight-nation tournament was an all-important game for both the hosts South Africa as well as the underdogs Sri Lanka.

Under-pressure South Africa made the first blunder even before the first ball was delivered. The home team captain - Graeme Smith won a crucial toss but apparently made the wrong decision when deciding to field first. Of course his decision was proved right instantly but not after that great partnership for the second wicket.

Having experienced the bitterness in batting under lights during the recent Compaq Cup triangular in Colombo, Sri Lanka team would have been relieved when they were put in by Smith.

Nevertheless, South Africa had instant result only in the third over of the match when danger man Sanath Jayasuriya was trapped leg before by Dale Steyn for 10.

But the joy of the South Africans were short-lived as pinch-hitter Tillakaratne Dilshan and skipper Kumar Sangakkara took the home bowler to task in a majestic 158-run alliance for the second wicket in 25.4 overs.

Scoreboard moving

The duo faced four balls more than half of Sri Lanka's full quota of 50 overs. But they kept the scoreboard moving, maintaining a run rate of over six runs per over as South African bowlers were hit to all corners of the SuperSport Park.

Opener Tillakaratne became the first centurion of the tournament in Centurion, cracking a blistering 106 off 92 balls with one six and 16 boundaries. His batting was a treat to watch as red-faced South African made desperate attempts sending down 153 balls without success.

It was nice to see former captain Mahela Jayawardene returning to form when it mattered most. He played an aggressive innings of 77 runs off 61 balls, ruthlessly punishing South African bowlers who had a session of 'sprint workouts'. Jayawardene joining the Lankan run feast helped Sangakkara's men to make a commanding 319 for 8 in 50 overs. Although the hosts lost opener Hashim Amla in the third over of their run-chase, bowled by young Angelo Mathews for two, skipper Smith and Jacque Kallis gradually took control and staged a home team come back with a quick 81 runs for the second wicket in 11.1 overs.

The manner in which the duo batted and threatened their opponents sounded alarm bells at Lankan camp and it looked like the huge target of 320 was within their reach, if they had batted for another 10 to 15 overs.

Down to earth

But slow bowler Ajantha Mendis, who has been quiet for sometime after his dream entry to international cricket, was instrumental in applying the breaks to the South African run feast. He first removed opener Smith and then bagged two wickets in two balls two overs later. That brought the Africans down to earth with the score reading at 152 for 5 in 26.2 overs.

Skipper Smith would have expected to extract the early life of the SuperSport wicket to restrict Sri Lanka to a modest total. But his decision boomeranged and finally cost them the match.

It is heartening to see Sri Lanka batting clicking well in the first game itself, especially three of the ruthless strikers of the ball - Dilshan, Sangakkara and Jayawardene, showing early form.

This is definitely a positive sign and sounds an early warning to England and New Zealand bowlers in the remaining Group 'B' matches. If Sanath Jayasuriya, Thilan Samaraweera and Thilina Kandamby too could do the same in the coming matches, Sri Lanka should easily find a place in the semi finals.

Tall order

Nevertheless, it would be a tall order for Sri Lanka. But it is an achievable target, if Sangakkara and his men play true to form. Sri Lanka has two relatively easy remaining games - against England at New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg tomorrow and against New Zealand on Sunday, also at the same venue.

Compared to South Africa, England and New Zealand have not been that aggressive and Sri Lanka could well remain unbeaten if they maintain their current form. Having beaten New Zealand by 97 runs in their last ODI meeting, Sri Lanka should be a confident lot on Sunday.

During the pre-tournament official press conference, Sri Lanka captain Sangakkara said that they are "comfortable with not being counted among the favourites" and that "it would reduce pressure on them". That could well be the success story of Sri Lanka's dream win over the hosts.

That is exactly what they have put into practice. Playing on such a great stage will automatically mean teams will be out to show and highlight what they can do. It has now been proved that the winning is all about the handling of pressure. As Sangakkara had said, form would not be an issue when the teams take the field.