Friday, July 24, 2009

Sangakkara carries Sri Lanka's fortunes

Tea Sri Lanka 233 and 338 for 4 (Sangakkara 111*, Mathews 33*) need 154 runs to beat Pakistan 299 and 425 for 9 dec

When play started on the final day, Pakistan would have fancied their chances of pulling off a consolation victory. But by tea, with Kumar Sangakkara grinding the bowling into the SSC dust, those hopes had receded markedly, with the attack looking fairly innocuous on an utterly placid pitch. Thilan Samaraweera had contributed a classy 73 to a partnership of 122 with Sangakkara, and as much as Younis Khan shuffled his bowling pack, only one wicket came in 52 overs. Sri Lanka needed 154 from 38 overs for an improbable triumph, but survival rather than urgency was the predominant theme of the afternoon's cricket.

As he showed in Hobart not so long ago, Sangakkara is capable of dazzling counter-attacks in pressure situations. This though was all rearguard and little flair, with occupation of the crease the main mantra. The odd languid drive through the covers, or the precise sweep to the spinners would occasionally reveal some intent, but by and large, circumspection was the name of the game.

With Angelo Mathews showing only brief glimpses of his shotmaking potential, the run rate slowed quite a bit after Samaraweera's dismissal soon after lunch. He had been afflicted with cramp, and was then struck a glancing blow on the helmet by Mohammad Aamer before a doosra from Saeed Ajmal was nicked behind.

Apart from a brain-fade where he nearly handled the ball after digging out a yorker from Younis, Samaraweera had constantly challenged the bowlers, never allowing them to settle into a rhythm. Danish Kaneria, the scourge of Sri Lanka's first innings, was attacked and only Ajmal managed to exercise any real control.

Younis was also badly let down by Umar Gul, who struggled with no-balls and served up dross with the second new-ball. Each mistake was pounced on by Samaraweera, whose classical drives invoked another age. Pakistan still had a slight edge, but with no Flintoff-like talisman to turn to, Younis' brow became increasingly furrowed as the afternoon wore on.

No comments:

Post a Comment

ICC Cricket Updates