Sri Lanka bounce back from a thrashing to take T20 series against Zimbabwe. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor).
Sri Lanka took the three-match T20 series but not without a fight and Zimbabwe signalled their march up in the rankings with a spirited performance in both limited overs and T20 cricket.
It looked like Sri Lanka had an edge over the home team, then they capitulated in game two making it a contest in decidibg game three.
But the Lankans who gambled and lost in game two by including their bench strength in a show of complacency, soon awoke to the possibility of losing the series, responding with a clinical thrashing of the Zimbabweans in the decider.
The thrashing in game two saw the shellshocked Sri Lankans responded in savage fashion to turn the tide in game three as the chased a competitive 191 for eight rattled up by Zimbabwe to clinch an eight wicket win with 14 balls to spare.
Zimbabwe’s total was built on an allround effort from their batters led by a Tandiwanashe Marumani half century off 44 balls.
Dushmantha Chameera 2 for 33 and Dushan Hemantha 3 for 38 curtailed Zimbabwe’s run spree that started briskly but were pegged back by Sri Lanka’s bowlers.
Bowled out for a mere 80 in the second match in 17.4 overs, in which Zimbabwe cantered to an easy five wicket win in 14.2 overs, shook the Lankans to their core oand certainly exposed their batting vulnerability if the top order fails.
Pathum Nissanka, 33 off 20 deliveries, and Kusal Mendis, 30 off 17 balls, set off after the target like men possessed in the decider, and their departure at nearly the halfway mark saw a brilliant knock from Kamil Mishara, 73 not out, and veteran Kusal Perera, 46, who combined to carve up the Zimbabwean attack as they raced to the target with consumate ease.
Mendis departed at 58 in just 5.2 overs, Nissanka with the total on 76 for 2 in 7.1 overs before the Mishara-Perera onslaught took over.
Mishara slammed 73 off only 43 balls with 3 sixers and 6 fours while drought stricken Perera returned to form with 46 off 26 balls with 3 sixers and 4 fours adding a quick fire 127 in only 10.3 overs to ensure victory.
It been a while for Perera who has been in the batting wilderness for a considerable period. There are players in the squad who have huge question marks over their inclusion and their continued selection doesn’t do anything for Sri Lanka’s batting and bowling depth.
But what is important to remember in the two format series is that Zimbabwe refused to relent and was brought undone by some individual brilliance in Sri Lanka’s ranks that made the ultimate difference.
I’ve been commenting on the return of Sri Lankan paceman Dushmantha Chameera’s return from injury and his impact in this series, and it certainly paid off when he was fittingly named Man- of -the- series. His return in the three games was 3 for 19 In game one, 3 for 30 in game two and 2 for 33 in game three which was a splendid effort.
Pathum Nissanka is the other player I’ve been dwelling on. And he proved me right when he failed with the bat in game two and all around him collapsed in a heap as I predicted.
That statistic must change, mainly among Sri Lanka’s batters in the middle and lower order if they hope to remain competitive, particularly against the elite teams in World cricket.
Sri Lanka return home to reflect on the experience and what needs to happen to change their inconsistency issues that need addressing before the upcoming Asia Cup.
Coach Sanath Jayasuriya has plenty to map out before facing up to Asia’s best.
