Sports

Re writing England 's ODI history
Sri Lanka gained a five-nil victory.
White washed at home, they had never been
But this Nat-West Series saw a different scene
England winning the toss, scored 3-2-1
And asked what more, could have been done?
How could a team be losers five times?
Specially when played in their own climes
According to the Law of Averages they thought
This match would give England a vict'ry hard fought
Setting Sri Lanka a Target of 3-2-2
Those predictions appeared to have come true.
But Jayasuriya and Tharanga strode to the wicket
And treated us to a feast of glorious cricket
Oozing confidence from every pore
They belted the bowling for four after four
And adding a few sixes for good measure
They kept on scoring at their will and pleasure
The record for the first wicket was sent tumbling
The English team, on the field were fumbling
Sri Lanka's fifty in 24 balls came
The hundred in 48, the bowlers looked tame.
Jayasuriya now, 37 year of age
With Tharanga performed cricket carnage
For more boundaries the fans then clamoured
So with a Vengeance, more runs they hammered.
In 99 balls Sanath Scored 1-5-2
20 fours, 4 sixes he did boldly accrue.
Tharanga was expected to play anchor role
But could not be subdued in reaching his goal.
Matching Jayasuriya stroke to stroke
Till at last the partnership broke.
Throughout the series records just tumbled
Leaving the English Team Crest-fallen, humbled
England's morale began to slump
The master blaster was our biggest trump.
Mention must be made of Trescothic's hundred
Despite the fact Dilhara thundered
For a catch by Sanga, but it wasn't given out
Else T.C would have gone, without a doubt
However much for a "Howzzat" they strove
Unmoved stood umpire Billy Doctrove.
That's England's slice of luck and Magic
Otherwise things could have turned more tragic.
As England suffered from strain and pain
Lanka celebrated with champagne
For right now Sri Lanka are over the moon
Having won all those matches in July and June.
These verses of mine will not be complete
With no mention of Moody and of Mahela's feat
And the rest of the Boys who played as a team
Performing beyond our wildest dream!
Let's wind up wishing the guys more wins
When the next triangular series begins.