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Teamwork - the lesson from Australia
The recently concluded test series between Sri Lanka and Australia must rank to be the best "test cricket" to be witnessed in this island. The fact that all 3 games went on to day 5 is an indicator that there was always a contest taking place. The fact that Sri Lanka led on the 1st innings in all 3 games but yet succumbed, was another indicator that, the essence, the unyielding capacity of test cricket was on display.

Both teams must be congratulated for providing this memorable spectacle. The end result was a resounding 3-0 series win for the Australians. Many in the Sri Lankan camp have been receiving a kick in the pants as it always happens after such a defeat! There are issues for concern. A number of dropped catches which for that level of the game was un-excusable. These missed chances cost Sri Lanka dearly.

Irresponsible batting at crucial stages: On a number of occasions only common sense cricket was all that was required. That did not happen. Rash strokes for which even schoolboys would be reprimanded were played when responsible batting was required. Again, in-excusable at the highest level.

On the field, a defensive approach was adopted on occasions when attacking ploys were required. It led to the game slipping away from the Sri Lankans and the Aussies taking advantage. Issues that the players and the coach are responsible for. All this indicated that the eleven were not playing to their capabilities. They performed below par.

Do that against a team such as the Australians, then you are in immense trouble. As it is with their attacking, high quality brand of cricket always curtails every team from producing its optimum performance. Leave loopholes with your weak efforts then that gives little or no chance.

As the games unfolded on days 1, 2 and 3, this is what the end results should have been after 5 days of cricket. First test - draw. Second test - Sri Lanka win by 3 wickets. Third test - draw. It could have been 1-0 series win for Sri Lanka. Instead it has now left serious doubts of the teams' strength, against the best at test level. Take Muttiah Muralitharan out of the equation and they are in the company of the wooden spoonists.

Australia's strengths are innumerable. They look to plug every weakness, every shortcoming, connected to the entirety. They constantly keep raising the bar in search of excellence. A cricket team requires its brilliant individuals. But to perform and win consistently, there is a must for team work. Jot down the names of the 2 teams side by side and compare them man for man. In totally familiar home conditions the Sri Lankans are much stronger and so I say again - the series should have gone 1-0, in favour of the home team.

The Australians played as a team. When one failed the other stood up to be counted. In the batting department Hayden, Martin, Lehmann and Gilchrist made big scores up to the final innings of the series. Then, the man who has faired poorly up to then, Justin Langer played an innings he wouldn't forget. Fresh man Simon Katich stuck to his task and a mission was accomplished. Ricky Ponting made his contributions too. So in the end the batsmen gave sufficient opportunity for the bowlers to strike.

Michael Kasporwicz and Jason Gillespie bowled with tremendous heat in the searing heat. Shane Warne on his comeback was determined and focused a 100%. They all delivered, particularly when the game seemed to be slipping away from them. Then they bounced back to re-capture the advantage.

On the field they gave a 100%. It was an example to watch them run out on to the field at the start of every session, keen and desperate to succeed. What a great team performance.

Marvan Atapattu is now at the helm, overall in charge. It is his first and prime responsibility to build team-work and get all to play according to the situation of the game and the requirements of the team. The tour to Zimbabwe is not the yardstick to measure, but all the cricket that is lined-up for the next 12 months will decide the results.

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