A lesson learnt, more than a series slipped away
Sri Lanka had won the first Test match by six wickets, but in the second, New Zealand made remarkable come back to defeat Sri Lanka by an innings and 65 runs in Colombo. This win drew parallels with New Zealand’s win in 2012 at the same ground after losing the opening Test in Galle.
On both occasions, New Zealand were hammered in the first Test, but stunned the hosts by showing the resolve to fight back. While the Galle Test was anybody’s game until Dimuth Karunaratne produced a gem of a fourth innings performance, this Test was dominated by the visitors and coming into the final day, the only realistic outcomes were a New Zealand win or a draw.
Sri Lanka only managed to score 122 runs in the second innings chasing 187 runs to avoid an innings defeat after New Zealand put on a mammoth first innings total of 431 for 6 declared on the back of two excellent centuries from Tim Latham (154) and BJ Watling (105 not out). All what they required was a decent batting effort to draw the Test and win the series. But alas what transpired in the middle was a shocking batting performance to hand New Zealand an easy win and 60 points in ICC Test Championships.
This series was a tussle between a team which was seeking consistency and a team which was looking to continue dominance in the longer format of the game. After all they were undefeated in their last five series. On the other hand Sri Lankans were playing their first series after that historic series triumph in South Africa and were eager to build on the momentum.
The pendulum swung throughout the series as neither team was able to ride the momentum and get the maximum advantage which they were hoping to garner. Even though Sri Lanka won the first Test convincingly their batting was under scrutiny given the irresponsible manner in which their batsmen performed in the second Test.
Senior players such as Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews and Kusal Perera scored a substantial amount of runs. After the loss in the second Test, Dimuth Karunaratne was critical of the senior players who failed to contribute sufficiently with the bat.
“It was a pretty good wicket in the first innings, and we didn’t execute our shots very well. The batsmen probably thought it was going to be a good, flat wicket and so the application wasn’t there. Even me, after getting 60 [65], I played a rash shot [in the first innings]. It was a good wicket and you have to put up a good score on it. The Kiwis batted really well. They put up huge totals and put us under pressure.” Karunaratne said.
The enigmatic Lahiru Thirimanne continues to cling on to the opener’s slot. No doubt that 161-run opening stand at Galle must have clinched his spot for the game at the P. Sara. His double flop in the second Test could be the writing on the wall as far as he is concerned.
Oshada Fernando, who was impressive in South Africa, and Pathum Nissanka, who has been a heavy scorer in the ‘A’ team games, are both waiting in the wings. How long more will that have to kick their heels.
Only Dimuth (247 runs at an average of 61.75) and Dananjaya De Silva (129 runs at an average of 43.00) scored centuries for the hosts. While Dimuth’s century guided his team to victory, Dananjaya showed his class as a batsman as opposed to what the selectors think–a bowler who could bat a bit.
Akila Dananjaya, who was reported for a suspect action, was the most successful bowler with six wickets in the series but was pulled out of the second Test after being called. For New Zealand, Tom Latham scored (229 runs at an average of 76.33) and BJ Watling scored (183 runs at an average of 91.50.
Their bowling attack was led by the spinners Ajaz Patel (09 wickets and William Somerville (07 wickets) and fast bowlers Trent Boult (08 wickets) and Tim Southee (07 wickets).
It is fair to say that it was a Test Series that was filled with excitement. Both teams will be pleased about the fact they have 60 points each under their belt and at the same they will have to be consistent if they are to be competitive in the world Test Championship.