Unbeaten centuries to Steve Smith and Alex Carey have Lankans staring down the barrel of a whitewash. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE (eLanka Sports Editor)
Steve Smith and Alex Carey set about ramming home Australia’s psychological blow in the first Test as a shell-shocked Sri Lanka stares down the distinct possibility of a series whitewash in Galle.
Sri Lanka have been out-thought and outplayed in every department of this series so far, exposing a gulf between the best in the world and the cellar dwellers.
They were perceived to be on the rise not so long ago, but that idea has fizzled out to an optical illusion as Australia have proved, with a dominant game plan that has demoralized a home team in their own backyard.
Desperation to reshuffle the pack after a mauling in the first Test, Sri Lanka’s selectors have made a bad situation worse in the ultimate team changes for round two.
And there’s more than a quizzical lift of eyebrows from fans at home and around the globe about the axing of Jeffrey Vandersay, who was the only redeeming factor of the last game with a face-saving half-century and three wickets, which counted for nothing.
Such is the depth of Australian cricket at the moment that the embarrassment of riches makes team selections a definite nightmare, a good headache to have.
Leading by 73 runs with seven wickets intact, the bank, things are certainly looking bleak for Sri Lanka in bright and hot conditions in the picturesque surrounds of Galle.
The wicket, which usually tends to deteriorate by day three, has not shown any signs of unpredictability yet, and indications are that it won’t, until much later than usual.
It won’t matter too much if Sri Lanka bats like they did in the first innings, with just two half-centurions and two scores of 30-plus in another pathetic effort.
Kusal Mendis saved them from what would have been another national disaster with the bat to take them to 257.
Only a miracle can save Sri Lanka from here.
If you missed TREVINEs’ last Article – here it is! SUNDAY CHOICE – Fitting send off for a Marian champion. Bernard Rulach accorded a heroes farewell. 9 – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor).
