Another humilating batting debacle sends Sri Lanka packing after a convincing England thrashing. Banton, Brooke, and Cox lay the platform for a target too far. BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE
Sri Lanka’s batters can be justifiably accused of being sadistic towards their die-hard fans as they continue to tease them with a win, then a humiliating performance that follows.
After a commendable performance in game two of the one-dayers, they then turned in another shocker to be annihilated in the deciding game three at the Oval.
New coach Gary Kirstan must be scratching his head about the now established pattern of rollercoaster batting performances that has gained noticeable consistency, and as a team no one would dare put money on. The chances of them losing is undoubtedly the better odds.
While taking nothing away from England’s reaction to the second game loss, it exposed Sri Lanka’s inability to ride the new found confidence and at least be competitive.
England for their part was stung by the second game reversal and planned accordingly to ensure they were prepared for any contingency.
Sri Lanka were the opposite as they first conceded too many runs then folded under the pressure of the chase and humiliated themselves.
My personal take on their non-competitive performances appears to be a conflict within the squad for personal reasons. If this is the case, some serious counselling may be needed to fix this unhealthy malady that could be disrupting progress.
Identifying and ridding the team of distractions is key to turn things around. Personalities or talent should not be the overriding choice for selection.
High flying England snuffed out any chance of a Sri Lankan upset when they batted first and raced to a carefree 355 for 7 in their allotment.
Tom Banton smashed a career best maiden one day century, 126 off 105 balls, skipper Harry Brook 77 off 66, Jason Cox 76 off 52, Will Jacks 25 off 21 and Jamie Overton 21 off 14 balls in England’s massive total.
Overawed by the task, Sri Lanka’s chase was like a rudderless ship with no perceivable course on how to negotiate the task at hand.
Almost all of England’s bowlers contributed to Sri Lanka’s misery with Liam Dawson 3 for 26 and Gus Atkinson 2 for 26 being the best of them.
There’s not much else to dwell on a clear mismatch that filled the Oval with cricket mad spectators in anticipation of a close encounter.
