Sri Lanka turn the tables on England

Sanath Jayasuriya, quite wisely, used the spinners most of the time. Though Samaraweera or Chandana cannot be considered even slightly close to the class of Muralitharan, to their credit they bowled intelligently to tie the hosts in knots.

Imagine what would have happened to England if Murali had played. However, the Sri Lankan batsmen struggled to even play out the full quota of 50 overs and that’s unpardonable in one-day cricket.

They all looked good till they lasted, but unfortunately that was not long enough to bother the opposition. It’s time the newcomers in their squad do something of note, for they couldn’t get a better opportunity than this one to establish themselves at the highest level.

Though the Sri Lankans boast of the same batting line-up which has done extremely well over the years, they are finding it difficult to motivate themselves and play at their best. It’s a situation many touring teams go through. All these years, they played with great pride, improving themselves beyond imagination and in quick time too. But now, it wouldn’t surprise me if most of them are looking forward to going home and putting their feet up.

With all the four frontline, most experienced batsmen getting out after being well set for much more, it will surly make them sit up and think as to why are they losing their concentration so often in international matches.

It really beats me, for the same batsmen look world class when they play at home. Attapatu will have to work on his initial movement. He stays on the back foot longer than necessary which makes him vulnerable to the ball pitched well up to him.

The movement disturbs his balance as he transfers his weight on the back foot. It’s ideal to stay on the ball of the right toe. That would make his front foot movement easier. Sangakkara played extremely well. It’s intriguing why the selectors left him out of the playing eleven for the earlier, crucial games. He was unlucky to have been adjudged LBW. However, his was a good effort without a doubt.

Quite wisely, England tried some of their untested players, for the game was inconsequential as the Lankans, having lost all their matches thus far, were already out of the tournament. International cricket is the only place where one can test the temperament of a player. In hindsight, even though England lost the match, Nasser Hussain must be happy that he has a better option now at his disposal for the important games ahead.