Bitter sweet Lankans return home with lessons learned after Caribbean adventure BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor)
Sri Lanka made a better effort in the final Test in Antigua to force a draw but lost the series 0-1 to return home with reasonable but unflattering success rate on tour.
Winning the one-dayers 1-0 with the next two games washed out, then going down 1-2 in the T20 series and 0-1 in the two Tests gave coach Gary Kirstan much to dwell on in his maiden voyage as coach.
There’s a lot to work on from what is evident through the formats, especially in the mental mindset of the players that will need revolutionary change to steer the ship back on course.
Over the past few years Sri Lanka cricket has nosedived into a slump and that has certainly not been solely due to lack of talent.
Results of the past appear to underline issues relating to player control over outcomes rather than control from the top which if my deduction is on track, is a serious issue that needs urgent address.
Yes, there’s uncertainty in any sport, and that is an acceptable part of it. But a familiar and consistent pattern sometimes suggests otherwise, unless the lack of skill and competitiveness is glaringly evident.
In Gary Kirstan and the recently appointed Transformation Committee headed by Eran Wickremaratne by the Sports Ministry in the country to restructure a seemingly dysfunctional former administration, they have set the course for a revival of the game.
But the new direction will take some time no doubt as the seeds they have sown blossom into the fruits of success. The distinction between Test cricket and the rest is glaringly evident and will be part of the restructure focus undoubtedly.
The Windies tour was flattering for the home team who appear to have regained their much envied former swagger.
Under new captain Roston Chase in Tests and Shai Hope in the white ball game, West Indies have shown remarkable resurgence of late. Their true potential will be revealed against the top teams such as Australia, India and South Africa going forward.
After a complete rout in the first Test, Sri Lanka bounced back to save the second game, but another day could have been disastrous for the visitors as the West Indies openers showed in their pursuit of a gettable target on what was an easy paced wicket.
Sri Lanka rode their fightback on a superb 188 by Lahiru Udara in only his second Test. Udara in cavalier fashion smashed 5 sixers and 21 fours in his one-day type knock.
All the adulation about 32-year-old Udara’s highest score by any Sri Lankan batter against West Indies quickly dissipated when he was dismissed for a duck in his second stint.
Batting first, Sri Lanka racked up 549 for 9 declared.
Lahiru Udara 188, Sonal Dinusha 92 off 166 balls, Kamindu Mendis 84 and Kusal Mendis 69 provided the backbone of a healthy total.
Not to be outdone, West Indies made a spirited reply on the back of Justin Greaves 180 off 325 balls and returning Shai Hope 112 who lifted them from an uncertain start and got them to within 50 runs of the Sri Lankan score.
Sri Lanka’s second effort proved my previous observations about batting inconsistency, albeit, this must have been a calculated decision by the coach to give them a sporting chance of springing an upset.
They stumbled to 259 for 9 in their wild pursuit, giving the Windies a run chase of 309 off 40 overs which was clearly beyond their grasp.
Asking the West Indians to chase over 300 in 40 overs was clearly more a defensive ploy by the Sri Lankans.
Setting the Windies an impossible target and giving them an outside chance of bowling them out, Sri Lanka’s bowlers hit a brick wall and found no penetration as openers John Campbell 51 off 117 and Brandon King 51 off 129 balls, batted through for an unbeaten 109- run stand to end things in a stalemate.
Much work to be done for the Lankans in their new direction, and their journey will be followed with interest.
