Sri Lanka revel in South Africa's cruel fate
So cruel for South Africa...yet so sweet for Sri Lanka
Charlie Austin
04-Mar-2003
So cruel for South Africa...yet so sweet for Sri Lanka.
The intense and recently acrimonious rivalry between the two sides meant
that Sri Lanka shed no tears for the hosts last night.
| © Reuters |
On the contrary, the team celebrated the amazing Duckworth-Lewis affected
tie long into the morning, delighted to have proved the doomsayers who had
predicted a first round exit wrong.
South Africa's unexpected early exit was the perfect result for Sanath
Jayasuriya's side, allowing them to carry through four extra points through
to the next round.
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Boje wasn't able to get out there and give them the piece of paper to keep,
but the message that was portrayed was 229. But you can't look at that and
worry about that. He (Boucher) didn't know the game was going to finish
after that ball."
Shaun Pollock |
Moreover, the Proteas' elimination means removes the threat of a later
semi-final or final clash against one of their most feared opponents.
If West Indies defeat Kenya today then Sri Lanka will top Pool B and face
Australia in their first Super Six match at Centurion.
The venue, with its sub-continental type pitch, offers Sri Lanka their best
possible chance of overcoming Ricky Ponting's apparently invincible side.
They will then travel to Wanderers for a high-octane clash with their Asian
neighbours India, a match that offers the mouthwatering prospect of a
surprisingly rare Murali-Sachin duel.
The final match will be played at East London against England, Zimbabwe or
Pakistan.
| © Reuters |
Had it not been for their slip up against Kenya, Sri Lanka would have
qualified with a near full hand of points - that result could still cost
them a semi-final place.
Nevertheless, with the 7.5 points they did accrue, they are still
well-placed to qualify for the final stages.
However, they are still grave problems within the side, the most alarming of
which is the wretched form of middle order batsman Mahela Jayawardene.
Jayawardene's wild charge down the wicket last afternoon smacked of
desperation.
But the line between success and failure is so fine: one shot can make the
difference and had he picked up a boundary then perhaps the shackles would
have been broken.
Jayawardene is a fine player, a potential match winner, simply lacking in
confidence.
His barren run has not as long as is being suggested by some: he played well
in South Africa at the end of the last year and also contributed in
Australia during the early matches.
| © Reuters |
The quality of the replacements in the 15-man squad is such that he must be
persevered with: an inform Jayawardene greatly increases Sri Lanka's chances
of World Cup glory.
The poor form of Dilhara Fernando with the ball is also a major worry.
Sri Lanka's quickest pace bowler has partially overcome a chronic no ball
problem but he is no longer attacking the crease with the same confidence
and the result is poor control.
Once again, his match winning capacity is such that he will surely be
retained. However, he needs to pull his game together quickly or face being
slaughtered by the Aussies.
Fortunately, the part-time spin of Aravinda de Silva, Jayasuriya and Russel
Arnold is playing a far greater role than had been hitherto been
anticipated, covering for shortcomings elsewhere.
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"We knew that, after the 35th over, we were in the Super Six but we wanted
to win that game. Unfortunately the rain came. We wanted Marvan and Aravinda
to get some runs and Marvan especially. He batted through the innings and
got a hundred. I think Aravinda gave him full support and it was nice to see
him getting runs. All in all, the boys played really well."
Sanath Jayasuriya |
That, in part, is because the pitches are dry after a hot summer but also
reflects the fact that a good spinner is better than an average fast bowler
in all but the most seamer-friendly conditions.
On Friday the spinners will once again come to the fore with Murali locking
horns with a brilliant batting line-up for the first time since he nearly
bowled Sri Lanka into the VB Series final.
Ideally, he will bowl with plenty of runs on the board, the responsibility
for which falls on the shoulders of Jayasuriya and Marvan Atapattu, who
batted so gloriously yesterday.
De Silva's good form allows greater confidence in the middle order but the
openers are the key to Sri Lanka' success: a fact that the Aussies will be
only too aware off.