Sri Lanka Lose Un-Loseable Test

It seemed like the time for losing Test matches in four days was behind us. But given how poorly Sri Lanka fared in the New Zealand tests 6 months ago, and the very average performance in the World Cup, the preceding half year may have made us forget that we are still very much an average team, reliant on individuals.

It is unfair to expect a new administration to take their new broom to the Aegean stables within a couple of months. Don’t forget that they have to undo an entirely broken system. They seem to have done the right things though, with bringing in a new trainer for the national side, taken steps to make domestic cricket a more stable revenue generator for local players prompting them to put more effort into their game, and also focusing on the depleted fast bowling stables.

If not derailed these plans will bring some stability and depth, but not in the short term. It’s important for fans to realise that champion teams are not made overnight. For instance the Royal team that won the Singer League last weekend were U14 joint champs with Isipatana, and U16 champs as well. Good teams need time. Golden State will beat LeBron’s Cavs because they are the better team. It takes individuals to step up and a coach like Steve Kerr who can identify complementary skill sets. In this area, Sri Lanka have some work to do.

Misbah Ul Haq said he realised that the only way to have a chance of winning the game was to get Sri Lanka out early in the first innings. That’s a positive mindset right from the start. Opting to bowl first, he may have rued his decision because the Sri Lankans started well. Silva batted in his own way for his hundred, but apart from Sanga’s 50 had little support. With batting conditions better than expected after the heavy rain in Galle, Pakistan were in real trouble losing their top order and the two oldies Misbah and Younus, at the halfway point of their reply. Sarfraz Ahmed has scored runs against Sri Lanka before and it seemed the bowling department had no answers as he and Asad Shafiq controlled the Pakistan lower order to post a 117 run lead in quick time. Shafiq’s hundred and Sarfraz’s 96 were telling contributions for a Pakistan team that found themselves 118/5 at stumps on day 2.

Pakistan then prised out the two mainstays in Silva and Sangakkara before the close of play on the 4th day. Instead of being positive, Sri Lanka sent in the night watchman, Dilruwan Perera, instead of Thirimanne taking responsibility. The nightwatchman ploy has not worked for Sri Lanka and we keep insisting on trying it. It’s a negative ploy which shows the insecurity of the top order batsmen. As a result Perera was out very early on the 5th morning setting the tone for day, despite Thirimanne and Karunaratne batting well. Both showed that they did not have the patience to withstand pressure and were out looking to score off balls that should have been respected. Withanage’s approach in both innings cannot be faulted for positivity, but can be faulted for the manner in which he approached both match situations. Angelo Mathews was unfortunate to be given out, but despite the obvious gaffe by Gaffney, Sri Lanka should still have been good enough to draw the game despite his ‘dismissal’.

Take nothing away from Yasir Shah though. He’s an exciting leg spinner and it’s great to watch them bowl with turn, menace and enthusiasm. Sri Lanka had no answer to his bowling, and the rest of the bowing unit supported the finger spinner excellently. Riaz was sharp and consistent while Babar offered no room for the batsmen to free themselves. Sri Lanka couldn’t handle the pressure and it showed the immaturity of the batting unit. That’s not something that will fix itself overnight, but we’ll have to be patient.

Mathews was rightly disappointed, but there’s no reason to panic. Sri Lanka were slow out of the blocks after several months in hibernation. They will need to improve and win the second Test to make a series of this.