Sri Lanka can deliver the goods in any part of the world
View(s):Before the Test Series against England began many thought that the Englishmen would carry all before them by beating us in both Test matches. In the First Test England outplayed us in every department and almost came to the brim of victory. But luck was not with
them and Sri Lanka managed to draw the match. If not for the review system we would have lost the First Test match. Instead, luck was with us and we had a narrow escape.
Sri Lanka players celebrating that famous Test win in England
In the Second Test the England captain, after winning the toss, asked Sri Lanka to bat first and our lads were shot out for only 257 runs. When their turn came to bat the England players were, at one stage, sitting pretty on 220 for 2 and heading for a massive total.However, our lion-hearted bowling attack managed to bundle them out for 365 runs. England had a lead of 108 runs. When our turn came our lads batted with determination and purpose. A very responsible and solid knock by our skipper, Angelo Mathews, along with useful contributions from Sangakkara, Mahela and Hearth, managed to put 457 runs on the board. The British guys had to get 350 runs to win the match.
In their second innings the England openers played well as they chased the required number of runs to win.
But, on the evening of the fourth day Dammika Prasad bowled his heart out and sent their batsmen reeling. He broke the backbone of the England batting line by sending four of their best batsmen to the pavilion. Then, Rangana Herath added misery to their camp by taking the wicket of the night watchman.
So, at the end of the last but final day, England was 57 runs for 5 wickets. On the final day the British boys had to bat the whole day to avoid defeat, while Sri Lanka had to take 5 wickets in order to register their first Test series victory in England.
Their sixth wicket pair batted with purpose and courage and did not allow our lads to take any wickets until they had passed 115 runs. Our bowlers had to toil very hard to capture England’s last 5 wickets. Their last pair batted 15 overs and almost saved the match for them. But a golden delivery, bowled by Prasanna in the final over, gave Sri Lanka the long-awaited victory.
It was a ‘red letter day’ for Sri Lanka Cricket. Our lads proved that we can deliver the goods in any part of the world.
I am sure that they will keep the Sri Lanka flag flying in other countries, especially in Australia, South Africa and India. Now I see that we have produced a team that can show its class in any conditions. The English cricketers were made to eat humble pie in their own den by Sri Lanka in the T20, ODI and Test matches, respectively. Our National cricketers can now go from strength to strength and bring more victories to our Motherland.
I congratulate Angelo Mathews and his team for the honour they brought to Sri Lanka. Well done lads! Keep it up!
By Rev. Bro. Nimal Gurusinghe F.S.C.