ICC Champions Trophy 2013: Five reasons England lost to Sri Lanka

After a string of low-scoring encounters and the odd match that was washed out, the Champions Trophy finally came to life as Sri Lanka put up a magnificent batting performance, chasing down England’s total of 293 runs and exhibiting great determination. It was a match that could have potentially seen the Lankan lions being evicted from a major ICC competition in spite of a fighting performance against the Kiwis; but the crucial win has ensured that they live to fight another day. England, on the other hand, would have considered job half-done as they entered their dressing room with a total of 293 on board riding on the back of a complete team performance. However, Ravi Bopara’s stunning finish to the English innings deserves special mention.

As much as the credit of the win must go to Sri Lanka’s batting performance, the result re-enforced certain observations that have been made about the competition this year. The wickets are not traditional English wickets, and have offered very little assistance to the fast bowlers in terms of swing. The bounce has been consistent; and if it is an encouragement for the bowlers, it is a boon for the batsmen. The other observation that had been made early on this competition was that no target is impossible to chase given the attitude that has been fostered by T20 cricket in modern-day batsmen. Any required run-rate below 10 an over in the last ten overs is considered achievable. Here are five reasons why Sri Lanka emerged dominant yesterday:

5. England’s scoring rate

It is perhaps very harsh that inspite of getting a total of 293 on board, the accusation of getting runs slowly has to be made against England. However, in the modern-day game, scores above 300 are absolutely necessary, and unfortunately that was not the case with England’s batting card. Alastair Cook has been criticized for this element of his game. He took 85 balls for his 59 runs. The English top-order is rather inclined towards the orthodox, and a Test-like batting approach may be an advantage against weaker batting line-ups, but can be a drawback against the high-scoring line-ups like India. Moreover, the lower-middle order slump that saw England go from 218-3 to 254-7 meant that the target – which could have been well over 300 – fell short of the magical number.

4. Lack of imaginative leadership

Alastair Cook is a reliable performer with the bat, and his consistency at the top of the order inspires respect; he manages the English media very well too. However, he does seem to lack that imaginative element that is so essential for a captain. He must be able to make things happen when the players on the field are beginning to drop their shoulders. He did not show any aggressive intent when Dilshan and Sangakkara were beginning to form a partnership; nor was there any urgency when Jayawardene and Sangakkara did the same. There were no inspired bowling changes, and that makes the difference between a good leader and a great leader.

3. Nuwan Kulasekara‘s explosive knock

On the other hand, there is no doubt that Kulasekara’s promotion up the order was an inspired decision. Sri Lanka needed to up the ante and Chandimal’s form had not been very promising. It was a low-risk gamble; had he lost his wicket trying to force the situation, Sri Lanka would not have lost a lot. But the gamble paid off much to the delight of the Lankan fans. The two sixes against Graeme Swann created the momentum for him, and he never looked back. Some ordinary length bowling also helped his cause.

2. Complacency?

England were coming off a victory against arch-rivals Australia, and that seems to equal winning the Champions Trophy for the English media. Did complacency seep into their game? Were they too busy making merry over the grave of their opponents? Maybe after they put a big total on the board, they neglected the possibility of a Lankan fightback. The usually strong English bowling was unable to get enough out of the pitch and failed to dismantle the top order. It was pretty much a joy ride home from there on forward for the Lankans. England need to pick up their game as the Kiwis threaten to evict them from the competition now. Quite a turnaround.

1. Kumar Sangakkara‘s century

It is already being termed one of the great one-day knocks of the game. And it will perhaps stand up to the test. Kumar Sangakkara was the only in-form Sri Lankan batsman coming into this game, and the English must have certainly thought of a strategy to deal with him. However, whatever strategies were formulated for the elegant left-hander failed as he cruised along to play a match-winning innings of 134 from 135 balls. His innings was characterized by a steely determination to win the game for his country even as he saw wickets falling at the other end. Sangakkara dominated the English fast bowling, never letting them get on top, and he gladly played the second fiddle when Kulasekara started wielding the long handle. It was an innings that can make all the difference in Sri Lanka’s campaign in this competition.