Darren Bravo follows in Sangakarra's footsteps
Plays of the day from the third day of the second Test between Sri Lanka and West Indies in Colombo
Andrew Fernando in Colombo
25-Nov-2010
Suranga Lakmal was stopped in his run-up by Chris Gayle, who ended up being the bowler's maiden Test wicket • AFP
The déjà vu feeling of the day
Yesterday, Kumar Sangakkara danced down the track to loft Shane Shillingford over mid-on for six and then four off consecutive deliveries. Another left hander, West Indies no. 3 Darren Bravo, must have been taking notes. In Rangana Herath's sixth over, Bravo waltzed down to hit him over long-on for a six, and then dispatched his nex ball for four. Same ploy, same end, same area, same result.
Yesterday, Kumar Sangakkara danced down the track to loft Shane Shillingford over mid-on for six and then four off consecutive deliveries. Another left hander, West Indies no. 3 Darren Bravo, must have been taking notes. In Rangana Herath's sixth over, Bravo waltzed down to hit him over long-on for a six, and then dispatched his nex ball for four. Same ploy, same end, same area, same result.
The catch of the day
Rangana Herath is, perhaps, the least athletic looking player in the Sri Lanka side. Standing at a smidgen over five feet and with a portly build, he is not known for his fielding prowess. But today he pulled off a blinder that would have made even Jonty Rhodes or AB de Villiers proud. Spotting a leading edge off Darren Bravo that spooned towards extra cover, Herath sprinted in from backward point and launched himself horizontally towards the plummeting ball with arms outstretched. His teammates swooped in delighted, and Bravo departed - scarcely able to believe what he'd just seen.
Rangana Herath is, perhaps, the least athletic looking player in the Sri Lanka side. Standing at a smidgen over five feet and with a portly build, he is not known for his fielding prowess. But today he pulled off a blinder that would have made even Jonty Rhodes or AB de Villiers proud. Spotting a leading edge off Darren Bravo that spooned towards extra cover, Herath sprinted in from backward point and launched himself horizontally towards the plummeting ball with arms outstretched. His teammates swooped in delighted, and Bravo departed - scarcely able to believe what he'd just seen.
The ramp of the day
Cricket helmets have changed a lot since they first arrived on the scene, and Kumar Sangakkara's preferred model, which is sleeker and flatter than most other helmets, might just be the next wave of them. When Sangakkara was hit on the helmet by Kemar Roach in his third over of the morning, rather than lobbing lamely to slip or gully, the ball ramped up over the smooth beak and flew high over the wicketkeeper for four leg-byes.
Cricket helmets have changed a lot since they first arrived on the scene, and Kumar Sangakkara's preferred model, which is sleeker and flatter than most other helmets, might just be the next wave of them. When Sangakkara was hit on the helmet by Kemar Roach in his third over of the morning, rather than lobbing lamely to slip or gully, the ball ramped up over the smooth beak and flew high over the wicketkeeper for four leg-byes.
The riposte of the day
What's the best way to reply to being hit on the lid by a pumped up fast bowler? Slam him for consecutive boundaries. After Kemar Roach caught a ducking Kumar Sangakkara in his second over of the morning, the batsman responded in style. The next delivery was dispatched emphatically to the square leg boundary, beating the man at deep backward-square and the following ball rocketed to the fence through the covers.
What's the best way to reply to being hit on the lid by a pumped up fast bowler? Slam him for consecutive boundaries. After Kemar Roach caught a ducking Kumar Sangakkara in his second over of the morning, the batsman responded in style. The next delivery was dispatched emphatically to the square leg boundary, beating the man at deep backward-square and the following ball rocketed to the fence through the covers.
The party pooper of the day
If there is one thing cricket in the West Indies and Sri Lanka have in common, it's the music in the stands. But just as the band were getting warmed up for the day, Chris Gayle stopped Suranga Lakmal in his run-up to ask the musicians to stop playing. Apparently, if it's not calypso, it's distracting. He wasn't even on strike.
If there is one thing cricket in the West Indies and Sri Lanka have in common, it's the music in the stands. But just as the band were getting warmed up for the day, Chris Gayle stopped Suranga Lakmal in his run-up to ask the musicians to stop playing. Apparently, if it's not calypso, it's distracting. He wasn't even on strike.
Andrew Fernando writes for The Pigeon and blogs here