Lankans to try out new combination
Literally it’s a dead rubber. After nine long years, a completely new look Pakistani team walked all over the Lankans and stomped them to a 3-1 defeat. Today they are down to perform the last rites of a forgettable tour, where the Lankans failed in all three disciplines of the game – especially fielding.
Right now Lankan cricket is in the wilderness. Opening batsman Kusal Janith Perera at practices at Hambantota - Pic by Shantha Ratnayake
For the Lankan skipper it was sheer agony. As a bowler he performed the best while the rest let him down. In batting, though solid performances came from the bats of Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal, Mathews seemingly wilted under duress of not being able to perform a Mandrake.
In batting, the aging opener T.M. Dilshan seems to have lost his sparkle and the usual audacious approach. He is trying his best to convert his experience into runs, but, at every turn he seems to be getting in and then getting out. His youthful partner Kusal Janith Perera seems to be turning into a damp squib. When he fires he sets the town on fire, but, more often he gives immense pleasure to the opposition by playing lame duck. There is not much that we could boast about the rest of the flock.
Nevertheless, the Lankan Interim Committee Chairman Sidath Wettimuny lives with hope. Explaining the situation he said “The selectors have been talking to us. This is the transition period and it is time to get to the bottom of the situation and take stock. This is the very first tour that they have handled and a period of this nature it is not an easy task. They are looking at the big picture scrutinising every aspect. Sometimes they even may have to look earnestly at the performances of some of the seniors. What we are asking to is to give them time till the West Indian tour, by then, they should be able to come out with a satisfactory combination. However I must say that I have been told that there is some good talent in our larder and it is matter of putting that talent to the right perspective.”
Putting that statement into action the Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews said “We will try out a different combination for Sunday’s game. We will try out a few players whom we think who could take the team forward and our combinations right. This is a good opportunity for us to do that. We did not do well and we have lost the series. “
When asked about the Lankan pace ace Lasith Malinga skipper Mathews said that the bowler knew that he had not done well in this series and he now would work on his fitness levels and try to comeback strongly. However Mathews did not reveal that the fast bowler would be dropped from today’s game, but, reiterated that certainly there would be some changes, especially in the bowling department. However he also said that they have brought in fast bowler Lahiru Gamage in place of injured fast bowler Nuwan Pradeep and there is a chance that the new speedster would make it into the playing Xl in today’s match along with off-spinner Sachitra Senanayake.
For the Pakistani skipper Azhar Ali, this tour has been a revelation. He seems to be thriving in doing the right thing. The bowling has been rewarding. The batting had clicked and above all their fielding must have cut off at least a hundred runs in the four matches so far, while the catching also has been more than impressive.