Sri Lanka in pyrrhic drawn series
Richard Dwight
There was nothing exceptional to be spectacular to arouse interest in
the sordid two 'Test Cricket Series' between Sri Lanka and New Zealand
(Kiwis). It was mercifully confined to two Test matches that were left
drawn, with either side winning one - had their been a third test, on
Sri Lanka's poor form the chances are that Sri Lanka would have lost the
series completely, to experience a thoroughly demoralising unhealthy
effect.
The blame cannot wholly rest on our cricketers, for the reason that
everything does not seem to be conducive to giving off the best of their
abilities.
In the first test we did win a lack-lustre low scoring match where
Mahela Jayawardene did well with the bat, whilst spinner Rangana Herath
excelled far beyond expectations. In the second and final test match the
Kiwis overhauled the Sri Lankans by 167 to draw the two match series.
Rod Taylor the New Zealand skipper and Williamson scored centuries for
the Kiwis, with Rangana Herath and Nuwan Kulasekera bowling consistently
well.
But by far the most redeeming feature from the Sri Lankan point of
view, was the coming to be of Angelo Mathews as a fully-fledged Test
batsman as his forte, apart from his bowling.
He was not himself when he scored 47 in the first innings, where he
lacked confidence and a measure of certainty. In the second innings he
displayed that he had arrived as a mature Test class batsman to be last
man out, having gone 4 down to score a steadfast 84.
It was encouraging to see him denying himself the singles to farm the
bowling and shield the tailenders. All his shots was from the middle of
the bat and seldom did he raise the ball.
Our substandard domestic tournament found Mathews playing at least
six to seven Test matches to gain this present 'Test Match' maturity.
The same speaks for the other youngsters in the team.
This time it was confined to 2 Test Matches, the next time it will be
just a Test match and thereafter Test matches will go into oblivion to
be forgotten.
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