Pak v SL, 2nd test day 2

Sri Lanka

Oh-oh. You always wondered how SL would handle the game when Pakistan finally remembered how to play cricket. Needless to say they did not handle it too well.

When you bowl out a team for 90 on day 1,  you shouldn’t really be 27 behind when day 2 ends. And that is exactly where SL finds themselves now.

The batting was rubbish. King Kumar’s 87 was the only innings that made sense. And it would seem he is the only one who is taking his own words to heart. At the end of the first test he asked the batting to step up. They have gone no where.

I would hate to be Angelo Matthews right now. Each time he comes out to bat the rest of the top order don’t seem interested in sticking around. And in the end he gets out on 20s and 30s when the man can clearly do a lot more.

SL needs to wake up and smell the Pakistanis cuz they are back. Of course they could be gone tomorrow but there no point in taking any chances.

Kulesekara. Average.

Mendis. Rubbish.

Thushara. Meh.

Herath. Okaish.

Sangakkara’s captaincy was ridiculous. SL still had a lead of around 60 when the first wicket went down. But he didn’t attack the new man. No close in fielders, massive single providing gaps on the leg side and for a while you had to literally remind your self its not Mahela at the helm.

Pakistan

Booya. It had to happen. Pakistan were always going to pull a Pakistan when you least expected  it. Which means that we were expecting it.

Gul finally arrived. And how.  His delivery to Sangakkara was a peach. He was quick and relatively accurate and got a little movement. Which is all he needed in the end.

I didn’t think too much of Ajmal in the first test. I still don’t but he did what Pakistan needed of him today and that was to support Gul. Picking up Dilshan, Jayawardene and Mathews can’t mean you bowled too badly though.

Pakistan batted steadily with the help of Sangakkara. Alam played a gritty innings and was smart enough to bat outside leg to compensate for his massive movements before hitting the ball.  It still looks pretty ugly and looks like he is one in swinger from being back in the pavilion but lucky for him SL had no intention of doing that.

Younus, survived Mathews. So he must be a happy man.

Balls of the day

Alam gets this one easily. A century on debut is always a great achievement. I still don’t think he needs to move around so much before playing a shot. It looks ungainly and will probably be found out by better bowlers.

But today he was good when Pakistan needed it. Cant argue with that.

Play of the day

The umpires losing the ball at the start of play. Never seen that one before. Well doneTaufel and Harper.

Ps-OMG can we stop it with the cuts to advertisements and slogans on the ground whenever a commentator says something. It is annoying and stupid.

Instead show what Shoaib Malik is doing at all times. Like when we saw him reading the funday times (a kids newspaper for like 6 yr olds).

4 Comments

  1. insideEdge said:

    Mendis has been really bad with the basics of bowling a good length wicket-to-wicket. Judging from the number of hoardings with his mug at the ground, a game out of the team when Murali returns maybe what the doctor orders.

    Sanga was kidnapped and replaced by Hashan Tillers.

    July 14, 2009
    Reply
  2. Nayagan said:

    sir,

    i believe by “better bowlers” you meant “pacier bowlers.” I like the discipline nuwan and thushara showed themselves capable of sustaining but with Mali’s pace, Fawad’s shuffle would be nothing more than the full-bladder dance of a kindergartner.

    July 14, 2009
    Reply
  3. insideEdge said:

    That was some shocking rubbish bowling from Mendis. Being on every single advertising hoarding in Colombo has taken it’s toll on the boy. Someone needs to take him to the side, tell him to concentrate on the basics and rest him for the next game.

    Kulasekera’s lack of pace has been exposed when there is no swing or seam movement. He lacks the nous of Vaas to bowl cutters and reverse swing yet. The problem for Kulasekera is that too often SL wickets will be like this.

    July 14, 2009
    Reply
  4. insideEdge said:

    What a collapse.

    If the clouds don’t go away SL will be lucky to make 100 against Gul and Aamer

    July 14, 2009
    Reply

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