Sri Lanka crush Zimbabwe but sterner tests lie ahead
Sri Lanka completed their third consecutive Test series win on Monday when they crushed a poor Zimbabwean side by an innings and 94 runs at Asgiriya International Stadium in Kandy
Charlie Austin
07-Jan-2002
Sri Lanka completed their third consecutive Test series win on Monday when
they crushed a poor Zimbabwean side by an innings and 94 runs at Asgiriya
International Stadium in Kandy.
It was a predictable outcome with the standard of Zimbabwe's cricket having
plummeted to such depressingly low levels. The visitors could not compete
with a rejuvenated Sri Lankan side in tailor-made conditions for Muttiah
Muralitharan.
So, although the hosts deserve credit for having now one seven Tests in a
row, setting new standards for the subcontinent, it was achieved against the
weakest Test nations - Bangladesh, India, West Indies. Thus, it is of
dubious relevance to a team whose cricket board aspires to a place in the
top three.
In the coming year sterner tests lie ahead, with tours to England in early
summer, South Africa and Australia. Only then can the true quality of Sanath
Jayasuriya's side be accurately gauged.
Zimbabwean captain, Stuart Carlisle, was impressed with Sri Lanka but was
not convinced that they can yet compete with the big boys abroad: "They are
a really good unit and have a balanced young side. But it's not easy to
place them because all seven wins have been at home, where they are
extremely hard to beat - all teams struggle here."
He added: "The big test will be when they go overseas. In England and
Australia where the ball moves around a bit off the seam I think they could
be in a bit of trouble."
Sri Lankan coach Dav Whatmore's pleasure at winning was also brushed with
realism: "Life is good at the moment but tougher examinations lie ahead and
our feet are firmly on the ground."
"Nevertheless, it's reassuring that we are putting some consistent
performances together. In the past we had the ability to be as good as
anyone but on certain days we would throw it away and lose the Test match."
Zimbabwe threatened a brave fightback in the morning when Gavin Rennie (68)
played boldly, hitting man of the match Muttiah Muralitharan out of the
attack and cruising to his seventh Test fifty.
But on the brink of the first drinks break fast bowler Charitha Fernando,
who fully justified his controversial inclusion against the wishes of the
selectors with a four-wicket haul, found some reverse swing and trapped Andy
Flower lbw for 11, ending a 58 run partnership for the fourth wicket (109
for four).
Fernando followed up with the wicket of the Rennie with a yorker-length
delivery that swung back painfully onto the left-hander's boot.
Muralitharan, recalled into the attack from the other end, quickly disposed
of Craig Wishart (3) who top-edged a sweep and was caught at short fine leg
to leave Zimbabwe on 149 for six at lunch.
Again, after the interval, Zimbabwe briefly resisted before the
reintroduction of Fernando precipitated the final collapse during which the
last four wickets fell for 15 runs.
Grant Flower (21) gloved a catch behind as he tried to take evasive action,
Douglas Marillier (9) was forced onto the back foot and trapped lbw by
Muralitharan, Travis Friend was clean bowled for a duck and Henry Olonga (1)
holed out at square leg.
Muralitharan was the deserved man of the match after picking up 13 for 115
in the game, which takes him to 395 Test victims in just 71 games with the
prospect of him becoming the seventh man to the 400 mark in the final Test
starting Saturday.
Clearly still hampered with his injured finger, he wore a protective casing
whilst fielding, but is expected to play in Galle. Whatmore certainly
thought so: "Knowing him, he would still play if he only had one leg."
Other changes to the Sri Lankan side are possible, to give exposure to the
reserves, but skipper Jayasuriya appeared reluctant to make wholesale
changes.
"We need back-up players but we can't make a big change because there is
only one Test at home and it is important to give our regular players as
much confidence as possible before we travel overseas," he said.