Sri Lankan Test cricket took a giant leap forward in the second Test against South Africa at Supersport Park. It was a match that will long be remembered for its intensity and evenness, but sadly, it will also be remembered for the wrong reasons.

Seldom will one be able to witness two teams allowing themselves to play the man and not the ball for so long without any drastic measures being taken by the match officials. Both teams will certainly be able to justify critical times when poor decisions placed them on the defensive and allowed the opposition an opportunity to create pressure.

The innings played by Hashan Tillekaratne was one of controlled patience and measured caution. Not only did he become the first Sri Lankan to score a Test century in South Africa, he also showed his teammates what sheer guts and determination were all about. The bowling was hostile and he just hung in there for all he was worth and that is something that no scorecard will record. Kumar Sangakkarra is certainly a player with huge talent and the intellectual capacity to go with it. His batting shows few flaws against pace on the bouncier pitches and must surely be a captain in waiting. In Fernando, the Sri Lankans have someone who can get top players out and when in tandem with the world's best spinner, Murali, he is tough to handle.

The sledging that went on was not acceptable in the Test arena. Who started it and who was the guiltiest will never be proved conclusively but one thing is for sure, both sides never took a backward step. It is for this very reason that I believe that Sri Lankan cricket took a huge step forward. In the past, even with the great players like Aravinda and Arjuna in their team, the South Africans bullied them and the youngsters felt the heat both on and off the field. Players felt ill equipped to handle the bounce and pace and it always showed. A major part in handling this was the will of each individual to accept the challenge mentally and physically, and at times, to put ones heart and soul on the line.

The umpires made some poor decisions throughout the match and we all know and fully realize the tough task they have. However, very often this facilitates the kind of behaviour that went on in the game. The players are very quick to take full toll of any umpire who shows the slightest hesitancy in his decision-making and as soon as he lacks confidence, the game is up.

History will record a two nil win to South Africa, but from now on, the knowledge that they can compete if they stand tall and take up the challenge without flinching, will ensure that the present players are competitive even in the face of adversity. This is the way that the Australians and South Africans learn to play. It is an integral part of the game at most levels and it has a way of separating the men from the boys very quickly. Dav Whatmore has recognized this facet of play and in time, it will become part of the selection process.

The One-dayers are about to begin and don't for one instant think that the entire saga will be forgotten by both teams. The World Cup could be at stake right now and if that's not motivation enough to get stuck in, what is?