A lost opportunity as batsmen crumble

To provide a simplistic explanation, it was the inability of the Sri Lanka batsmen to post a strong first innings total after winning the toss, that underpinned the defeat by 8 wickets to England in the Second Test that was concluded before tea at the P.Sara Stadium on Saturday. Skipper Mahela Jayawardena who has done everything right since taking over the captaincy won the all-important toss and while he, Thilan Samaraweera and Angelo Mathews batted with purpose, the rest of the batsmen were just handling bats or as a wag put it “played like blind bats”.

Jayawardena had a dream Two Test series with the bat. He scored a century in Galle and rounded it up by scoring a century and a half century in Second Test, which gave him the Player of the series award.

Again, it is to be simplistic or at worst cynical, it almost seemd that the matches were virtually between Jayawardena and England!

Retain top spot

With this win England retain the standing as the best Test playing nation in world cricket. Had Sri Lankan beaten them in this Test they would have slipped to second and handed over the top spot to South Africa.

While the Two Test series has been condemned in all quarters as meaningless, what was interesting was that both Tests ended in decisions. With both teams winning a Test each the Trophy was shared.

In this regard, congratulations go to the curators of the Galle International Cricket Stadium and the P.Sara Stadium for providing result-oriented wickets. This would no doubt have pleased the spectators as no joy is derived in “draws”.

Series levelled

As for spectators, the ‘Barmy Army’ England’s tom tom beaters were there in their numbers shouting themselves hoarse cheering for their team. And the team obliged winning the Second Test, levelling the series and retaining the top spot.

The Second Test between Sri Lanka and England at the P.Sara did not lack for want of action, confusion and controversy. Again it was the inaction by the International Cricket Council that came into question. It all began with the caught in the slip decision against Sri Lankan batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan.

When umpire Bruce Oxenford ruled Dilshan out taken in the slips by James Anderson off Graeme Swann, the batsman convinced that he did not snick it referred to third umpire Rod Tucker.

Confirming decision

Tucker took ages before confirming Oxenford’s decision. Tucker had only the Hawk Eye to direct him and not the HOT SPOT.

After watching the replays over and over again, which was time consuming – we do not blame Tucker for this – we thought the benefit of the doubt would have been given to the batsman.

But that was not to be and Sri Lanka in their quest to save the Test lost a big wicket. Dilshan said what he thought of the decision at the media briefing after the day’s play and queried as to why the HOT SPOT was not in play. It is the consensus that when you play the Umpire Decision Referral System – a system that should be credited to Sri Lanka’s Attorney at Law Senaka Weeraratne, all technologies connected with the full implementation of it are applied.

Imaging system

Hot spot is an infra red imaging system used in cricket to determine whether the ball has struck the batsman’s bat or pad. HOTSPOT requires two infra red cameras on opposite sides of the ground above the field of play that are continuously recording an image.

Any suspected snick or bat/pad event can be verified by examining the infra-red image, which usually shows a bright spot where contact has been made.

Former Sri Lanka Captain Dilshan, although he did not show it, would have been furious with the decision.

Countries such as Australia, England and South Africa use the full repertoire of the technology brief because they have the finances to do so.

The ICC which is minting money on theTwenty20 and the 50-over games, must finance this concept.

If they feel it is eating into their coffers, they can share the cost of implementing this system with the two countries involved in playing. If this is not possible then in the game’s name do away with the entire system. Let not the system be a mockery. The ICC need not be told that they can’t have the cake and eat it.

Where’s Epasinghe?

As we have not heard the local John Arlott – Premasara Epasinghe doing Sinhala cricket commentary on radio for a long time, we met Epasinghe the other day and asked him whether he had retired from doing radio commentary.

Epasinghe looked surprised and said: ‘I never go behind any radio station and ask them to nominate me to do commentary. If I am invited, I am prepared to do commentary. ‘In fact many cricket lovers who always look forward to listening to me doing commentary on radio, ask me the same question.

And I tell them that if SLBC requires my services I am willing to oblige. But they have not asked me’, said Epasinghe whose knowledgeable commentary over the years on SLBC have been listened to and enjoyed by the millions of Sinhala cricket fans in the country.

Over four decades

Epasinghe has been on radio for over four decades and had the proud distinction of describing the action from Pakistan in the 1996 World Cup win by Sri Lanka in Lahore. The last time he was heard on radio was bringing the action on Derana Radio with reputed commentators like Ranil Abeynaike and Roshan Abeysinghe on the 2011 World Cup. With a lot of cricket to be played here in the coming months it is hoped that the authorities that matter will obtain the services of Premasara Epasinghe. Epasinghe has played the game for Nalanda and the University.

He is knowledgeable and describes the game as vividly as he sees it.

He has come in for high praise from the listening public. And its time that we served the public with what they relish.

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