Umpire Decision Review System in question:

Lankans convinced they were robbed of victory

Sad indictment on Sydney Cricket Ground:

Elmo Rodrigopulle - Reporting from Australia

The Sri Lankan cricketers have a good chance of taking back happy memories by beating Australia in the Commonwealth Bank one day series if they continue to play the way they are doing.

At the moment they have got all their game plans working to perfection and if they keep their cool and not try anything different, skipper Mahela Jayawardene can proudly hold aloft the trophy in Hobart and take it to the shelves of Sri Lanka Cricket.

The Lankans lead the series 2 - 1 . Had there been play at the SCG after the rain ceased,the Lankans and the Duckworth - Lewis system introduced, the Lankans would have been clear favourites to win chasing a reduced target and with all 10 wickets intact.

Cricket fans booing

That the Lankans were robbed of victory there was no doubt. When it was announced that the game was abandoned, after waiting in vain for nearly two hours the crowd of 22,000 fans started booing. Skipper Jayawardene was not happy with the decision to abandon the match claiming that his team had played in worse conditions than what was at the SCG that night.

The Lankans were going to write to Match Referee Javagal Srinath, the former Indian seam bowler demanding a consistent approach from the international Cricket Council.

Interpretation different

Jayawardene said that they played in New Zealand three months ago and the interpretation they got in that series was different. He also said that they played in Pallekele with a lot of rain during the ICC World Cup.

That the game could not start after the rain because of the wet outfield even after the ground staff did their best with their drying equipment was a sad indictment on the famous Sydney Cricket Ground. The SCG is known for its draining system..

Had the game been played, and had Duckworth - Lewis system introduced, Sri Lanka were confident that they could have wrapped up the series 3 - 1 and gone to Hobart for a bit of hit about.

Poor umpiring decisions

The Australians were disappointed that two umpiring decisions went against them. David Warner and Moises Henriques were given out LBW when it was clear on TV repays that they had got bat to ball before hitting the pads. It was the consensus that the review system was fundamentally flawed.

The Lankans arrived in Hobart exuding confidence and are not likely to make any changes from the team that played in Sydney. There was good balance in all departments.

But skipper Mahela Jayawardene who has the courage to be different, could make a change or two according to the demands of the wicket and conditions. Whether to bat or field first will also be decided after a look see.

Running scared

The Aussie batsmen seem clueless against the excellent swing bowling by Nuwan Kulasekera and are running scared against the pace and bounce of Lasith Malinga. Kulasekera is not looking for pace, but pitching in the right areas and beating the batsmen with in and out swing.

When Mathews comes on, the batsmen seem happy to be at the non striker’s end than suffer life threatening injuries facing him. They are unable to read his yorkers, bouncers or the well disguised slow balls.

Now that the bowlers have the Aussie batsmen in the land of uncertainty, if the batsmen oblige and the fielders take even the half chances, then the Lankans could be celebrating with the Lankans where ever they are also joining in.

Hobart, Tasmania, Monday.