Sri Lanka continues subcontinental domination in Test cricket
Just a few months ago, India won a historic series down under to become the first Asian team to win a series in Australia. Now Sri Lanka has gone to South Africa and whitewashed them 2-0. India had played some great cricket prior to their tour of Australia. The score-line in South Africa and particularly England were not reflective of the quality of cricket played by the Indian team. It was only a matter of time before they won and did so in style down under.
Sri Lanka on the other hand, post-retirement of the fab-4 of Kumar Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, and Rangana Herath, have not been the same team. It seemed like they lacked an x-factor. They were completely outplayed in Australia and New Zealand and were decimated. No one would have given them a chance against South Africa. And yet they won 2-0, thus becoming the first Asian team to win in South Africa. Truly this is a remarkable feat.
Questions will be raised on the South Africans. This series was more about a series of missed opportunities for the hosts. The Proteas did not have Vernon Philander, yet their bowling attack was lethal enough to wreak havoc on a good batting line-up. Unfortunately, their batting did not fire and that cost them the series.
In the first Test, Sri Lanka had to chase down 304 in the fourth innings to win the Test. Any team irrespective of the pitch would be slightly uncomfortable chasing a target of 250+ in the fourth innings of a Test. Kusal Perera played a blinder of an innings to take the Lankans home with just one wicket to spare.
The second Test moved forward very quickly. On just the second day, the final innings was being played and a meager target of 197 was being chased down by the Lankans on the third day. They ended day 2 at 2/60 needing a further 137 runs to win the match and seal the series. One still thought that South Africa would have something up their sleeves to stage a comeback.
Came day 3 and it was a Mendis-Fernando show. Straight drives, cover drives, and flicks through midwicket were the highlights of the partnership. No bowler was able to settle down on a good line and length and there was no consistency shown by the Proteas bowlers. To make it worse, top edges would go in no man’s land and luck wasn’t with them.
Sri Lanka capitalized on every opportunity that they got and played brilliant cricket. This partnership of Kusal Mendis and Oshada Fernando flattened the Proteas. The Lankans won the match with 8 wickets in hand and with this they scripted a historic win against South Africa.
To come to South Africa and beat them in their own backyard especially after being mauled by Australia, we can only raise our hats off to Sri Lanka and congratulate them on their stellar performance.