Sports -

In recent test history few games have been as closely contested as the concluded test between Sri Lanka and South Africa. The game was a classic example of that phrase, down to the wire. Both teams must be congratulated for the excellent fare that was produced.

The game also brought out good cricket from quality players, whilst simultaneously, basic errors which even novices make. This underlined the fact that the mind plays such an important role in the ultimate achievement. It was a game where the toss did not really matter. As it should be, there was movement of the ball, off the pitch, in the first hour. The Sri Lankan openers Chaminda Vaas and Lasith Malinga capitalized and the visitors who won the toss and batted first were in trouble. The half hour before lunch indicated that the juice on the top surface had dried out. The batsman seemed to be taking control.

The best partnership, in terms of runs, (161) was produced at this stage by Captain Ashwell Prince and A.B. de Villiers. At this stage it seemed there were plenty of runs on the track and maybe the game could end as a high scoring draw. The swing of the pendulum which began at the end of the first session, swung back in Sri Lanka’s favor in the third session. From 231 for 4 wickets, six more wickets fell for another 130 runs. 361 runs and ten wickets could be classed as a good days test cricket, but South Africa had let off a great opportunity. They needed to have batted another session and collect about seventy five more runs.

If honours were even at the end of day one, it stayed that way at the end of day two. Again the Proteas let the advantage slip away. Shortly before lunch they had Sri Lanka reeling at 86 for 5 wickets. The cream, consisting of Jayasuriya, Tharanga, Sangakkara, Jayawardena and Dilshan were all back in the hut. It was a combination of the youngsters Chamara Kapugedara and Prasanna Jayawardena, then, allrounders Chaminda Vaas and Fervez Mahroof who performed the saving act for the Sri Lankans. Two century partnerships and they were within striking distance of their opponents’ score.

The South Africans squandered a healthy start to the second innings. They reached three figures with only one wicket down. Then two crazy run outs which accounted for Rudolph and Amla saw the advantage slip away.

No question, the difference in the two teams was the spinning magic of Muttiah Muralitharan and the batting wizardry of Mahela Jayawardena. Muralitharan dominated the bowling department and Jayawardena the batting. They took away any advantage the South Africans seemed to be gaining and put their team on track for victory.

To those who watched, officiated in some way and played it will be an unforgettable event. It certainly gave test cricket a huge boost.

What made it all possible was the pitch that was produced at the P. Sara Stadium. The match scores read 361 all out, 321 all out, 311 all out and 352 for 9 wickets. The game ended in the post lunch session of day five. You could not ask for anything more. Congratulations to Tamil Union CC for the excellent pitch prepared on which the players provided a glorious game of cricket.