And so the start of a new age of Sri Lankan cricket has begun.
It was the Kings first dabble with captaincy and seems to have taken to it pretty quickly.
A wounded Australian side is always a dangerous prospect but yesterday they only suffered further damage at the hands of SL and Kumar.
The difference between the two sides begins and maybe even ends with the two captains.
Sangakkara speaks 2020. Ponting still has no idea what the job entails.
While Ricky was taking a break, Kumar was beefing up his bank account and his 2020 know how in the IPL.
Whie Kumar relied on a young Udana, Ponting misplaced his faith in Lee, who should have been dropped after the first game.
2020 cricket does require large helping of luck, but Sangakkara didn’t wait around for it to come his way. When Australia were starting to fly, with Ponting and Watson, he played his trump card – Mendis.
It wasn’t just a bowling change for the sake of it. He did have Murali, Sanath and Dilshan, all tried and tested veterans with the white ball slower stuff.
He picked Mendis, knowing that the Aussies had never played him. And as we have seen with India, if its your first time out against Mendis,well, good luck to you. In a 2020, you almost have no chance.
Before that he opened the bowling with Matthews – another move Australia probably didn’t expect- and Sanath.
While Sri Lanka’s first 6 overs were bowled by 5 different bowlers, Ponting used 4 – without a spinner.
Kumar cashed in on his innovativeness. Ponting looked sluggish and lazy in his orthodoxy.
While Malinga, Mendis, Murali and Udana, SLs front line bowlers, were bowled out. Johnson,Watson and Clarke had 5 overs left between them.
Clarke might not be considered a front liner but he was getting considerable spin and the pitch was helping the floaters.
When it was time to bat, Sangakkara took the lead after Sanath fell. Knowing he needed to bat through and provide support to SLs only other big hitter in Dilshan.
In the process he took SL to the super8s.
Knocked out Australia.
Out flanked Ponting.
And showed him and the Aussies how to really take 2020 seriously. By winning .
Aren’t you forgetting Jehan?
When he came into bat your “loose your balls” article came to mind. A few dot balls later I was wondering if it could possibly get any worse.
And then – SIX.
Good show from him, dontcha think? 🙂
sri lanka is missing explosive player in the middle order…as soon as they will get one…the will win more matches than they does now…
I feel SL picked the wrong Chamara. Kapu is exactly the type of hitter needed and his inability to play long innings is irrelevent in T20.
Currently the only hitters are Sanath. Dilshan and Muba and Sanath really hasn’t belted anything consistently for a long time. Kumar did get a couple of sixes away but I don’t think he will repeat it against quick bowlers. Chamara Silva and Mahela are both good at nurdling the ball around but we only need one of them.
I also feel that Isuru Udana shouldn’t play again – only his slower ball works and batsmen started to pick it by his last over yesterday. First time I’ve seen him bowl and can’t believe he is mentioned as successor to Vaas. He is slower than Vaas is now. The true successor to Vaas will be Welagedara (he has more initials too) but I don’t know what became of him.
Any news on Psycho Prasad? His pace, aggression and batting ability would have been useful.
Dulan> You are right. Jehan did step up that night. It was good to see. And its always good to know theflyslips on your mind. Keep it up!
SP>Agreed. We have always lacked such a player and there is no one to take up that role from domestic cricket either. Its sad.
Inside> Well, I thought Udana bowled quite cleverly but his pace is a big worry. He needs to beef up big time. Welegedara seems to have fallen through the cracks. Its such a shame. He showed so much promise in that one game against England.
Psycho is probably letting lose in his living room watching the team on the tele.