Record put straight - Vaughan & Co. succumb

By Ranil Prematilake  There was no escape or a great escape as the English described it at the Sinhalese Sports Club grounds. The Sri Lankan Test cricketers fashioned a remarkable drubbing of a media hyped England counterpart in the third and final Test to achieve an unprecedented series triumph.

Certainly this performance which could have easily been a whitewash shall have to be repeated at least twice over for the English to even consider whether the Islanders would deserve a longer Test series. Be that as it may, it was a dream start for new coach John Dyson who has now scented victory much earlier than his predecessor.  

Man of the series Muthiah Muralitharan tormented the Englishmen to such an extent that more than the players outside elements tended to gain recognition under the cover of Murali's exhibition of quality spin bowling. Former English skipper Mike Atherton went to town launching a campaign against the spin ace targeting his action and when the expected attention did not come his way, he started to base his opinion on extraneous reasons that cropped up during the series. As one would say what more can you expect from a captain who hardly has any victorious deeds to talk about. He promised so much for English cricket but could not even manage to come within sight of an Ashes triumph and stepped down with an unrealized dream. Atherton's futile attempts to demean Murali's heroics have to be viewed with sympathy.

The return of Randi Dilhara Fernando brought about new light into the Sri Lankan bowling department. Dilhara gave a fine exhibition of penetrative pace bowling mixed with variation. The second innings dismissal of Michael Vaughan by the use of a well disguised slower ball was an example of the deliveries in the armoury of the young pace man.

Troubled boy Kaushal Lokuarachchi's absence was badly felt. The promising leggy would no doubt be an asset to be made use of once he completes his suspension from the game. Lokuarachchi plays the role of a wicket taking bowler rather than containing batsmen. Injury prone Prabath Nissanka too missed the series. Discarded Nuwan Zoysa is back in the reckoning, not forgetting the vastly improved Upul Chandana. Another Test discard Rangana Herath also has been amongst wickets. The Aussie tour will give the Lankans the opportunity to field a much more feared bowling attack than what they provided for the Englishmen.

The Sri Lankan top order was amongst runs with the exception of skipper Hashan Tillakaratne, the most noteworthy being the dramatic return to form of Mahela Jayawardena. The stylish right-hander long touted to be the successor to master batsmen Aravinda De Silva seems to be finally ready to take up the challenge. His tenth Test century last weekend speaks well for the credentials.

Selection blunders seemed to have an impact on both sides. Sri Lankans twice in the series went in with three off spinners and used only two, while the England selectors on tour experimented unsuccessfully with medium pacers as frontline bowlers. Also, Gareth Batty's inclusion ahead of the experienced Robert Croft raised many an eyebrow.

On a perusal of next year's Test agenda of the Sri Lankan team an interesting factum arises in the form of the possibility of a world record. Sri Lanka are billed to play 16 Tests next year. Murali is just 34 wickets away from Courtney Walsh's record of 519 Test scalps. Shane Warne is second in the list with 491 wickets and is certain to make a comeback next season. The immediate race would be targeted at Walsh's mark. Critics favour Murali to get there first. The island nation awaits this treasured moment of, the long journey of a confectioners son from the outskirts of Kandy. He has been bullied over many a time and the figure of Arjuna Ranatunge stands prominent in the progress of Mutiah Muralitharan into cricketing stardom. The smiling assassin battles on with the cricket crazy island nation right behind him.

Hashan pulls back from the brink

AFTER his team's rousing triumph Sunday over England, the question over the retention of Hashan Tillekeratne as captain of the Test team ought to become less controversial. His surprise selection some six months ago, ahead of heir apparent Marvan Atapattu, wasn't quite universally popular. And when, after seven Test matches it became evident that Sri Lanka was incapable of winning - even the winnable - under his leadership, inevitably, the call for his head hit high decibels. The cry was never louder than after the Galle and Kandy Tests, where Sri Lanka pushed on to the gates of victory but failed to make the crossing.

If the Colombo Test had turned out to be no different to the previous two, then, there's little doubt he would've been served with his retirement papers. But last Sunday that prospect receded into the distant background, at least until the series against Australia unravels next February-March. For the time being though, Tillekeratne's leadership is safe.

It is only fair that it should be so. After all, deposing a captain under whom the country managed its first series triumph over England would be an illogical decision, smacking of prejudice - never mind that, whether he is an ideal choice or not provides for rich debate. Much of the criticism of his leadership in the first two Tests was justified, but to continue to harp over it and grudge him his due in triumph would be churlish. In calling his teammates to share in the celebratory acceptance of the trophy, he of course acknowledged that it had been the team more than he that earned success. As far as personal contributions, his' was insignificant. But in recording Sri Lanka's biggest ever Test win and in the process inflicting on England their third worst defeat in history, it would be uncharitable not to acknowledge the part captaincy played.

The view of his leadership in Galle and Kandy was unanimously negative. In Colombo, it was more effective, though any suggestion that the overwhelming triumph was brought about by leadership dynamism would be a huge exaggeration. The vast disparity in the performances of the teams and the facileness with which victory was accomplished might suggest that the captain's job had been a sinecure. But that is to forget how the disadvantages of losing the toss and Atapattu's batting were overcome.

The England openers set off like a house on fire, raising visions of a leather hunt and a long battle for survival for the Sri Lankans. Any offer of an English total of 350 would've been agreeably acceptable to the Sri Lankans in that opening hour when Vaughan and especially Trescothick dismembered the new-ball bowlers. Muralitheran might have plugged the spate, but the eventual rationing down of England's first innings total to 265 could not have happened without Tillekeratne's handling of his bowlers. He didn't ask Muralitheran to trundle on for lengthy spells, as normally happens in long hours of desperation. Rather, he used him in relatively briefer spells; a move that preserved the off-spinner's mystery than his prolonged exposure would. Just when the batsmen seemed to be coping with the wizard, he was put back in the freezer. On his return, the batsmen had to unthaw themselves all over again to cope with the magician. Throwing Muralitheran in to many brief battles looks to be more profitable than engaging him longer confrontations when batsmen get accustomed to ways of coping with him.

Excellent foil

Then, there was the matter of rearranging the batting line following Atapattu's disability. If form were the criteria then Dilshan, centurion of a week ago, would've been the obvious filler, either as opener or no.3. But Tillekeratne was more imaginative. He slots Sangakkara with Jayasuriya. Both belters whose pairing at the top might have suited better the ways of one-day. And when they set about their job as if 50 overs were all that was allowable, a huge psychological point was scored over England. It made the point the pitch had nothing of what their fumbling batsmen tried to make out and we weren't going to lose the fortunes in a featherbed.

It was a cracking good start, but to continue with the belting, which would've been the case had Dilshan been slotted at no.3, would've been risky. So, Samaraweera it was. He had never batted before at no.3 in international cricket, but experience was not a consideration. To neutralize the all-attack start, Tillkeratne clearly aimed at stability thereafter. And the stoical ways of Samaraweera fitted that bill. Runs will never cascade from the stolid right-hander's bat. But his grinding approach to run making can reduce the opposition to tears and impotency. And that's just what happened to England as they helplessly waited, sans will, sans purpose, for the breaks to come. An excellent foil he was to the enterprising Jayewardene. Together they set up for a collection of 600-plus, a total that made only one outcome possible. The question was not whether Sri Lanka would win, but when. That it came after only 68 overs was staggering, but it goes to prove that a team determined to profit on early gains is hard to contain. England knew they were put out of the game on the third day and from then on played under the white flag of surrender.

Being the first Test win in 16 months, the euphoria is excusable. But it would be advisable to see the 1/0 win without rose-tinted glasses. The opposition was no where near the world's best. Frankly, India or Pakistan on home shores would've made mince meat of this woefully inadequate English outfit. In fact there has to be repentance why the series ended 1/0 rather than two or 3/0. The weather wasn't as an influential reason as over cautiousness that prevented imminent victories in the first two Tests. Clearly, Tillekerante was willing to turn his thoughts to victory only after getting into a situation where he can't lose. This explains his delayed declaration in Galle and the deployment of more than the required number to patrol the boundaries as England fought for survival in Kandy. He adhered to the command: thou shalt not lose.

Strangling collar

In Colombo, however, his team had rushed to a position of utter strength by the third day. With a 365-run lead, he had enough in the bank to gamble on boldness. He threw a strangling collar of close-in fielders around the English batsmen, which clearly hastened their demise. One hopes Tillekeratne's leadership will be emboldened by the handsome success in Colombo, and the diffidence of Galle and Kandy is shed. The Australians play it the bold way and we'll have to match it in like manner.

Tillkeratne undeniably has earned his keep for the next series, though, an extension beyond that would have to be on the basis of what he makes out of the next encounter, against Australia, no less. This much is clear: captaincy is no long-term appointment. The sort of terms Ranatunga and Jayasuriya enjoyed is not likely to be granted to present-day candidates. And that's not a bad thing. Tillkeratne knows Atapattu is snapping at his heels. And Atapattu knows that Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara are not far behind him either.

Suntel Bowling Trophy won by Lanka Orient Express Lines

Lanka Orient Express Lines with 751 points were easy winners at the final tournament of the preliminary round of the 2003 Suntel bowling competition. This hugely popular event took place at the Y2K Bowling Centre of the Millennium Park on Friday, 28th November. Air Global Ltd., came runners up with 677 points, so both teams have qualified for the 2003 grand finals, scheduled for early January.

The companies which took part in this final preliminary tournament were from the transport sector. The teams, which participated, were Panalpina, Freight International, Haytrans Lanka, Mearsk Lanka. MIT Cargo, Galileo and C.M.A./C.G.M. Lanka. Each team consisted of five males and one female.

Now Lanka Orient Express Lines alongside with Air Global will represent the transport sector and compete for the coveted Suntel  Trophy 2003, the premier bowling tournament of the mercantile sector.

Now for the rampaging Aussies sans Waugh

By Mahinda Wijesinghe 

At last, Sri Lanka beat England in a 3-Test series and Hashan Tillekeratne led a winning Test side. Most observers felt this was an opportunity England could have been whitewashed 3-0. However, what with the umpiring blunders and bad weather interfering in the first two Tests it was not to be. Eventually justice prevailed - there was no rain and less umpiring errors - in the Third Test and Sri Lanka romped home to their biggest-ever Test win, by an innings and plenty (215 runs) with a day to spare. Sri Lanka has now won 33 Tests in 136 games played since 1982.

No contribution from Atapattu

That Sri Lanka was able to declare their innings closed with a total in excess of 600 runs without any contribution from the injured Marvan Atapattu reflects either the strength of the Lankan batting or the weakness of the England bowling and fielding. Although Michael Vaughan's team had a few Test-class batsmen their bowling attack was threadbare. Their fielding, or more specifically the catching, came apart especially in the crucial Third Test with not less than six chances going to the floor, a luxury no side can afford at any level.

Only as well as your opponents permit

Yet, England saved the first two Tests. Their grit and determination were admirable. Skipper Vaughan's 7-hour century at Kandy was a Herculean effort with the tail-enders pitching in, though England never looked like winning a single game. It was always a case of 'can-England-save-the-game-or- not', and the negative tactics of the Sri Lankans helped. In cricket, or in any sport for that matter, one can only play as well as your opponents permit. In other words, performing well against the current England was no big deal. The all-conquering Australians, though without Steve Waugh, will be here for an extended tour of 5 One-day Internationals and 3 Test matches, and would be the acid test. Whilst congratulating Tillekeratne and the team, including the backroom boys from the manager to the dressing room attendants, who made it all possible, I believe there is a lot of hard work and planning needs be done before the Australians arrive in February.

Planning strategy against the Aussies

What are the gains from the England series and how can they benefit in planning strategy against the Australians? Definitely, there was an all-round improvement in the fielding. The piranha-like close-in fielders such as skipper Tillekeratne, Jayawardena and Dilshan were outstanding. Jayawardena regained his confidence as a batsman, albeit, with exaggerated caution. Sangakkara kept wickets well in fits and starts. Should he continue wearing the gloves and be used as a specialist batsman? I believe, not. Dilhara Fernando coming back after injury bowled well in the second innings in the final Test. Can he remain injury-free and perform consistently? Chaminda Vaas keeps plugging away without much help from the opposite end. Many 'promising' pacemen simply keep appearing and disappearing like will-o'-the-wisps.

Why was Dilshan in cold storage?

Tillekeratne Dilshan brought into the second Test, after being in cricketing wilderness for 33 months, was a success each time he went to bat or field. How a player of such potential could have been kept in cold storage for so long merely reflects the shortsighted vision of our selectors appointed by the Minister of Sports. Not afraid to use his feet to the spinners, he out-batted and out-scored his more experienced teammates. Dilshan may not find the going that easy when the ball is flying around his ears but that is when a coach can help. The material is there, if only somebody can mould it right.

Muralitharan - the difference between the two sides

Man of the series, Muttiah Muralitharan, vowed before the series: "They (England) have played well during the last two series but my time will come again. I am prepared for anything now and I will do the damage. I am bowling really well at the moment and preparing myself carefully for the series." He was good as his word. Capturing 26 wickets in the series he also made useful contributions with the bat. There is no doubt that Muralitharan was the difference between the two teams. In fact, Sri Lanka has won 30 of the 85 Tests he has played in, and won only one game (against Bangladesh!) when he was out of the side. It was poetic justice that Muralitharan scalped his tormentor Nasser Hussain as his 100th Test victim at one venue - S.S.C. grounds - a unique record by a Test player. The question is, how long can he keep performing in this manner? No answers were provided in this series either. A leg-spinner is urgently necessary to shore up the opposite end. Upul Chandana, is a game player no doubt, but a leg-spinner without variations - a googly to start with - is a non-starter at the top-level, certainly against the Australians who are used to Warne.

Come up with answers soon

Thilan Samaraweera, originally picked as an off-spinner, now hardly gets a bowl. Suddenly used as a No.3 batsman and leading a charmed life he top-scored with a gritty century in the Third Test. Will he cope when Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie and Glen McGrath are operating? Should the practice of having two captains continue? These are the many questions the selectors would have to face in the next few weeks, and they better come up with the proper answers soon.