Batters hit top gear as Sri Lanka smash Afganistan to a series win – Same team but different mindset appears to be selectors master-stroke – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE (eLanka Sports editor)
Sri Lanka shed their ‘inconsistency’ tag thrashing Afganistan by 155 runs while lightning up the hills of Pallekelle to the dawning of a welcome form turnaround, and silencing their critics in the process.
Teetering on the edge of being written off in all formats, Sri Lanka appear to have discovered the correct horses for courses strategy from the available talent, and Coach Chris Silverwood can breathe easy as the new selection committee goes about putting together the pieces and the right squads for the different formats.
There’s no disputing the talent in Sri Lanka cricket, but issues off field has derailed the games administration creating an unwanted distraction to their performances on the field.
The new look one-day squad blended beautifully to completely outplay the dangerous Afgans in all aspects, to take an unassailable lead in the three-match series.
Under Kusal Mendis, the mindset and attitude of the team appears positive and sharp. They are very much switched on.
First game heroes Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando fell cheaply in game two but Charith Asalanka stranded on 97 not out, Kusal Mendis 61, Sadeera Samarawickrema 52,and Janith Liyanage 50 stood up to steer Sri Lanka to 303 for 7 in 50 overs.
The bowlers then got in on the act as Wanindu Hasarsnga De Silva and Asitha Fernando combined with Pramod Madushan and Dilshan Madushanka to dismantle Afghanistan bowling them out for 153 in reply. It took them 33.4 overs to complete a great day’s work.
It goes into a dead rubber in game three but Sri Lanka cannot rest on their laurels against a dangerous opponent who are capable of unsettling the best.
A three game T20 series follows.
Sri Lanka lost two early wickets before Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrema steadied the ship with a 103- run partnership for the third wicket. They were parted soon after but Charith Asalanka stepped up to smash the Afgan attack in an exhilarating batting performance that resurrected a sticky situation.
Asalanka was in control smashing 97 not out off to see Sri Lanka to a commanding total on a wicket that was a contrast to the opening game. With Janith Liyanage they added 111 for the fifth wicket.
Afganistan began their chase in cavalier fashion racing to 128 for 2 wickets. Gurbaz, 54, and Ibrahim Zadran 63 looked threatening, then the wheels fell off as Wannindu Hasarsnga De Silva 4 for 27 off 6.5 overs, Madushanka 2 for 23, Asitha Fernando 2 for 23 and Madushan 1 for 28, ripped through the remaining batters bowling them out for153 in a dramatic collapse that saw eight wickets fall for just 25.
It was a turning point to Sri Lanka’s new found confidence and determination that promises better things to come if the can maintain that mindset.
