Sri Lanka at the T20 World Cup Preliminary Matches –by Michael Roberts
In forecast to myself I thought that the Sri Lankan Squad that had snaffled the Asia Cup in the Gulf arena would face a difficult situation in Australia notwithstanding the lower-placed teams in their initial round of matches. For one, the Australian playing conditions would be quite different, both in terms of climate, pitch conditions and the size of the playing fields. For another, the Namibian team is made up of tough outback country Boer-types who do not take a backward step; while the Dutch have many experienced campaigners.
The Sri Lankans have not been helped by injuries to the promising medium-pacer Madushan and then to Chameera and, now, possibly Pathum Nissanka. This meant that Lahiru Kumara was playing today, the 20thOctober. Bowling the last over with Netherlands last wicket-pair in and the injured Van der Merwe batting, he did not skip back to his stumps when Van der Merwe swung and missed, then failed to catch the keeper’s throw and missed his hurried throw at the stumps from five yards away. My Trinitian pal Errol Fernando, a keen fielder in our time, would have banged his piano-keys in resounding keys when he witnessed that colossal set of bloomers!**
Van Der Merwe
Lahiru Kumara
** Earlier in the Netherlands innings, Dasun Shanaka and Dhananjaya effected two effective throws in order to secure crucial run outs.
