A thriller in Antigua

After the disastrous game against South Africa, the Sri Lankans needed to come back strongly. On paper West Indies and England were the teams to beat in the super eights state. Ireland of course needs not be mentioned. Three teams where victory is essental to progress steadily in the competition.

Mahela Jayawardane has lost most of the tosses so far. Maybe, its been a good thing. He has not had the opportunity to decide and it has gone in his favor. Captains are still concerned about batting during the early overs of a game. However, the better batsmen have given the bowlers and the pitch the due respect at the start, then gradually looked to accelerate keeping wickets in hand. Having set top order batsmen at the wicket and to build early partnerships are the necessities on these pitches.

Mathew Hayden, has done it his way and has had success so far. Sanath Jayasuriya though, showed the way against the West Indians. He used more than fifty deliveries to reach twenty five. By then he has assessed the pitch and the bowlers. From there on he picked-up the loose deliveries to punch runs quickly. When the partnership with Mahela Jayawardane began he had to shield his captain, who was taking time to find his feet.

Jayawardane needed a big innings and this was the opportunity. It did not come easy. In the early overs the pitch was also supportive to the bowlers. The sight of Jayasuriya opening his shoulders and striking the ball clean would have been both a relief and an encouragement to Jayawardane.

As the partnership blossomed Jayasuriya played bold strokes. It’s a fine effort from the left hander. This innings could be considered among the best that Jayasuriya has played. It contained all the characteristics that has been part of his batting, wherever in the world he has played. The powerful bottom hand shots square of the wicket were played precisely. So too, the hits clearing the bowlers head were struck off the meat of the bat. This partnership gave the batsmen coming to the wicket thereafter the license to explode.

A three hundred plus total is always very formidable. To achieve such a target one or two of the top order must make big runs and the others contribute around. A couple of big partnerships is also required. The West Indians needed Chris Gayle or Brian Lara to produce a very special innings. At the end of 15 overs the home team were reduced to fifty for three wickets. These almost impossible to pursue 300 runs from such a position. Although Shivnaraine Chanderpaul made abrave effort, it was a losing cause.

With one crucial game won, it was onto the next against the Englishmen. England are a much improved side from the lot the Sri Lankans played last year. Young players Ian Bell, James Anderson, Monty Panesar, Sajid Mohamed, have improved a lot and quickly. It was essential for Jayawardane’s team to keep winning to maintain the momentum. Wins are crucial both to maintain confidence within the team and to be on track for the ultimate goal.

It was another day where it was necessary to play clever cricket. This time the major partnership was raised through the efforts Upul Tharanga and Mahela Jayawardane. Jayawardane continued from where he left off in the previous game. Tharanga had not been making big scores in the tournament. The pitch was more uncertain than on the previous occasion. As the overs tick by it was evident that scoring runs freely was not possible. With Tharanga and Jayawardane unable to continue much longer after reaching half centuries, the task for the middle order and loswer middle order was tougher. The Sri Lankans huffed and puffed to get up to 235 and at that stage it was felt that they have made 20 to 30 short.

After England had occupied the crease for about ten overs it was evident that the picth was still difficult to force the pace and even 235 runs was a defendable total. At 133 for 6 wickets, England looked gone for all money. The game has a special place for the “die-hards” On this day Ravi Bopara and Paul Nixon batted for England as “die hards”. Their partnership and their individual performances put to shame the efforts of the top order batsmen.

As the final overs came around England had got within striking distance of a victory. Full marks to Lasith Malinga and Dilhara Fernando for keeping their heads cool and sending down twelve accurate deliveries. For the Sri Lankans it was a happy ending. A closely contested game and a thrilling win in Antigua.