Lankan supporters in Perth soak in exciting cricket fare

The Sri Lankan supporters, and there are a quite a few of them here, enjoyed two good games played by the cricketers against India and the one especially against Australia where the excitement was heart stopping.

Sporting the Sri Lanka cricketing shirts and proudly carrying the lion flag, fans were shouting themselves hoarse urging and inspiring the cricketers to give of their best.

 But sadly Sri Lanka lost both games to India and Australia. It is said that luck in anything plays an important part. And in these two games luck had deserted the Lankans and they were destined to lose two close encounters. Yet the team acquitted themselves with distinction.

India struggling

When they had India struggling at 181 for six in the first game, chasing 233, it was a fine 7th wicket stand between Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin that deprived the Lankans of a victory they deserved.

Then when everything seemed lost bar the shouting with Sri Lanka on 180 for 9, looking for 232 for victory, a fantastic last wicket stand between captain in waiting Angelo Mathews and Dhammika Prasad saw them clawing their way into victory street, until Mathew in his eagerness for that match winning six holed out in the deep.

Had that shot from Mathews sailed over the ropes like the one a few balls earlier, the Lankans would have notched one of the best victories seen in this style of cricket.

Final moments

The final moments had the 13,085 spectators on the edge of their seats. The Aussie and Sri Lanka spectators were cheering wildly. The Lankans were waiting for the impossible to become possible, while the Aussie cricketers and their supporters were biting their nails, expecting an unlikely defeat.

But the drama that was enacted in the final moments was not for the weak of heart. That the Lankans lost by just five runs was a travesty of justice. But that is cricket and that is why it is called a funny game and a game of glorious uncertainties.

Two defeats does not mean that the Lankans are out of the Tri series. If they can learn from the mistakes, take the positives and get their game plans working, there is no reason why they should not keep winning the other games and figuring in the best of three Commonwealth Bank tri series finals.

In Adelaide

Now that the Lankans have displayed their wares in Perth, they now move to Adelaide for another bash against India today, hoping that the all important luck that deserted them in Perth, will play for them in the remaining games in the tournament.

The Sri Lankans were given two games in Perth. But in Sydney and Melbourne, where there is a big contingent of Sri Lankans domiciled, only one game will be played in each venue.

That has disappointed the Lankan supporters in Sydney and Melbourne. They would have liked to see the Lankans in more games. But that is how the draw for the series was made and that is how it will remain.

Arrangements

But several supporters from Sydney are making arrangements to travel to Melbourne and vice versa to watch their their favourites in action.

That Australian cricket is well organized and on the way to regain their former glory days, where they ruled the cricket world in all forms of the game with their dashing and daring approach will not be long in coming.

In this tri series they are progressing sans some of their classy performers in Shane Watson, a brilliant all rounder, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, and their two young and promising fast men in Pat Cummins and James Pattinson who are all nursing injuries.

Adequate bowlers

But their bowlers now on display in this tournament, Clint McKay, Mitch Starc, Richard Harris and Daniel Christian are proving adequate and are determined to make it tough for the Aussie selectors to drop them.

That is the correct approach and cricketers from other countries must take a lesson from these Aussies and once given a go must grab the opportunities and keep performing, making it tough for the seniors to comeback.

It was great disappointment for Shaun Marsh and Brad Haddin when they could not make it to the frame when the Aussie squad for the triangular was picked.

Debut hundred

Left handed Marsh who gave birth to his Test career in Sri Lanka with a debut hundred, has since tumbled in form and has not been able to give continuity that early promising form.

But the selectors will not altogether ignore him. He is too good to be lost and once he regains his form, will be ready to take master batsman Ricky Ponting’s one drop spot once the former captain decides to quit.

Wicket keeper batsman Brad Haddin was given more than the chances he require. But he has failed and while Chief Selector John Inverarity said that Haddin has been rested, according to Haddin he has been dropped.

Visit to Swan Valley

On Thursday, Tissa Herath and his lady Visakha drove Upul Fernando and me quite a distance to Swan Valley from where we are staying in Canning Vale and what an enjoyable experience that was. This is the side attraction that visiting cricket fans usually indulge in. So let me take you on that journey.

We first visited the Margaret River Chocolate Company and watched how the various mouth watering varieties of chocolates are made and had a taste of most of the varieties.

From there we moved on to the Duckstein Brewery. The Brewery is a popular venue that exhibits some of the finest architecture, art work and landscaping in Australia’s South West Region. The Brewery produces premium quality German style craft beers.

Then we moved onto a Vinery and tasted the varieties of wines.

What we enjoyed most was the Swan River Scenic Cruises on a Captain Cook Cruiser from Perth to Freemantle which took nearly an hour on the Swan River.

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