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Except for a flutter of excitement in the third ODI Sri Lanka are going about their business in demolishing Zimbabwe. The home team is not going anywhere in terms of development. They have a young team who as a result of not having a competitive domestic tournament are stagnant in their attempt to progress.
Sri Lanka’s bowling strength has proved too much for the opponents although in the third game they fared better. Being early season the pitches seam around and even the spinners get some assistance and batting has not been easy. The youthful Zimbabweans are not geared to handle quality bowling.
This was evident from the opening game. Top order batsman Hamilton Masakadsa, Vusi Sibanda, Justin Chibhaba, Tatenda Taibu, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Elton Chigumbura, are of first class standard and can time and again come up with good performances. In particular, Masakadsa and Taibu have had good knocks against proven opposition. So it was in that opening game whilst these two stuck around they prospered. In fact, batting first, they got upto eighty for the loss of only two wickets. Then the wheels fell off. In fact Taibu who came in at number four, ran out of partners to remain unbeaten on thirty six.
Ajantha Mendis has mesmerized another team. He picked up three wickets in six overs in the first game and a further six in twelve overs in the next two games. The Zimbabweans plucked some courage in the third game, particularly Masakadsa, and had a go at him. It paid off, as they scored six an over off.
Fervez Mahroof has also taken the opportunity to make a comeback into international cricket after injury. He was given the new ball by Captain Jayawardena in all three games. In the first and second games he was economical and picked up four wickets too, but not as successful in the third game. The other two pacemen used, Nuwan Kulasekera and Thilina Thushara have been economical. It is an ideal tour for them to work on their variations and establish confidence for the future. Tours such as this must be made use of by fringe players to firmly establish themselves.
After a lean run against the Indians and surgery on a finger, Kumar Sangakkara must have been looking to these games to recharge the batteries. Scores of 28, 46 and 57 runs have got him going. Upto the third game no real opportunity has come his way to get a real big knock under his belt.
Another player who must be desperate to succeed is Upul Tharanga. Left out of the side for a while now, he came back strongly scoring runs for the ‘A’ team in South Africa. To play on South African pitches and score runs against opponents who are always competitive would have boosted Tharanga’s confidence no doubt. It wasn’t an auspicious return, being run out for a duck but since, has been striking the ball quite sweetly. A long innings and time in the middle is what he needs and what he must work at.
This is also the stage for other top order batsmen, Mahela Jayawardena, Chamara Kapugedara, Jehan Mubarak to get amongst the runs when they get the chance. Udawatte who goes at the very beginning of the innings, certainly must look to make more runs and bat for long periods. Kapugedara too should not slack against these less capable bowlers. He is no doubt a player who thrives on the big occasion but these are the games where he needs to concentrate more and get runs under the belt because he is capable of doing so.
The message must have been passed on to all by the coach that this is a tour for all to take advantage and get as many runs and wickets when their turn comes up. That includes the great Muttiah Muralitharan who is closing in on Wasim Akram’s record for the most number of wickets in one day internationals. He may have to wait for the Bangladesh tour which is the next challenge.
= Ranil Abeynaike is a former Sri Lanka cricketer and curator of the SSC. |
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