Sports
|
||||
Chinks
in Aussie armour? Ganguly's hundred in the first test instilled the feeling in the Indian camp that the Aussies can be put under pressure and made to succumb. Abrasive, unyielding and proud Indian that he is, Ganguly matched word with deed and Waugh found to his discomfort that here was a foe worthy of his steel. Dravid, Laxman, Sewag and, finally Tendulkar took over. The astonishing deeds of this formidable force of five shook the Aussie confidence and left them bereft of that aura of invincibility. Admittedly, the Aussies were minus Warne and McGrath and had injury problems with some of the bowlers. In effect, the proud Aussie boast that their reserve strength was just as good seemed to be a bit pie-in-the-sky (at least as far as the bowling was concerned). Against this back-drop, what lies in store for Sri Lankan cricketers (and the cricket - mad public)? Given that McGill, leading wicket taker though he was with fifteen in the series, bought his wickets at over 50 each, the inclusion of Warne becomes an obvious necessity. Traditionally, Sri Lankan tracks draw the fangs out of the most venomous pacemen. So the prospect facing Lee, Gillespie, Williams, Bracken, Bichel or whoever cannot be too pleasing. Cast your mind back to an Australian tour of Pakistan around two decades also when the great fillet took but a solitary wicket in a threat test series! The Australian batting seems the more solid factor. Katich has fitted in well and he, like Lehman is left handed. This could be the Aussie way of attempting to mollify the Murali threat. But the spinning ace remains one step ahead of the opposition with his perfected version of the 'doosra'. That the Aussie batters will not push and prod for ever and a day, the way some of Vaughn's Englishmen did, is a certainty. Ponting bats in very aggressive mode and the rest will certainly take their cue from him. 'Ay, there's the rub" as the Bard of Avon will surely proclaim if he were still around. Counter-attacks on unaccustomed slow tracks against the likes of Murali has its dangers and the Aussies could well come to grief. That the Aussies are the best in both forms of the game at present admits of no doubt. Yet recent events have paved that their perch atop the others is an unsteady one. The team is aging (even as the Sri Lankan one is) and Waugh's steadying influence, especially in times of crises will be badly missed. However it is part of the Australian cricketing psyche to ooze confidence and put on a brave front. Bravado, fool-hardiness, call it what you will! The Sri Lankans have been presented a great opportunity to continue the Australian slide. This is Ponting's first tour in charge of the test team. Having led the one day side to world cup success and having under-studied Waugh at close quarters, the mantle of leadership should sit easily on him and will in no way inhibit him. Further, being on tour helps the bowling process all the more. On the contrary, the Sri Lankan don't have these factors going for them. Tillekeratne's situation is different from Ponting's whole grip on the captaincy is unshakable and unassailable. The two captain theory, on which our selectors continue to rely, sees Atapattu breathing down the neck of the incumbent leader. Recent events surely could not have greatly endeared one to the other. Professionalism demands that the one passed over should not sulk in his tent like Sohrab of old. Take the cause of Gilchrist who at one time was Waugh's deputy. When the time came for decision-making it was Ponting and not he who inherited the crown. Gilchrist put his disappointment behind him, continued to make runs and did his best behind the stumps. In passing it can be said that neither the Australian captaincy nor the Sri Lankan one is like the poisoned chalice that is the lot of the Pakistani skipper. Summing up, it could be said that the Sri Lankans will not be short of confidence when they take on their opponents. Crystal-ball gazing, I see the local team continuing with the batsman cum stumper tactic in order to give more selectorial options. The batting looks solid enough with Vaas and Chandana/Lokuarachchi possibly occupying slots eight and nine. Notwithstanding Rangana Herath's recent run of form, the 'after Murali who?' question is to bound to crop up. Finally to the provincial tournament, a good thing in itself, though certainly not a novelty. Will it leave the Sri Lankans a trifle faded and leg-weary? |
||||
Copyright © 2001 Wijeya Newspapers
Ltd. All rights reserved. |
