The World Cup Story-7 Maneuvered Lankans

(This is the 7th article of the series of 8 articles)

Sri Lanka were the deserved Runners-Up in the World Cup

Hard Luck Buddy!! Sri Lanka reached the final of a World Cup for the 2nd time consecutively and was not able to convert this opportunity into a World Champions title. This time they had a home advantage which they utilized to the best possible extent helping them to land in the finals. Apart from this their current team always looked a very maneuvered and discipline side which meant business. Since the word go they always played competitive cricket and won convincingly. There is much to write about this country but still I would try limit myself.

The start of the tournament for the Ceylon Team was a cakewalk, winning against Canada with a margin of 210 runs. It looked a one sided from the beginning. Canada showed no response towards Lankan assault. First Sri Lankans batsman scored heavily hitting the ball to every part of the ground. Their batting order contributed equally. Openers got off to a flyer, Mahela and Sangakkara scored briskly. Cameos by Samaraweera and Matthews helped them post 332. When Canada came to bat they were wrecked brutally by Perera and Kulasekara. Only 3 batsmen were able to get into double digits.

The match against Pakistan was a very close contest. The two favourites of the World Cup clashed for a win. Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat. They scored 277 thanks to some decent performances by their batsmen. In reply Sri Lanka got off to a good start but failed in between getting themselves in deep hole. At one stage they were reduced to 96-4, then Silva and Sangakkara led the fight back before the latter got out to Afridi. Afridi was the one who pulled an out of a box win for Pakistan. Sri Lankans at one stage were looking set to win with Kulasekara at the crease. But cricket is a strange game. Pakistan handed them their first loss of the cup and the second loss came when it mattered the most (in the final).

Against the Kenyans it was another smooth run. Thanks to Malinga for his second hat trick and some unplayable Yorkers. Both the Oboyus were able to make their fifties to help Kenya at least reach 142. But chasing this was made very easy for the Lankans by some lusty hitting by the openers. Their next match against the Aussies got washed away in rain but it seemed to have been evenly poised.

Against the Zimbabwe it was another easy win for them, both the openers made centuries to post a challenging total for the opposition. In reply Taylor made some runs but was found wanting for support from the other end. On the other hand Dilshan took 4 wickets to mark an all round performance. Kiwis were found clueless to tackle the spin of Murali. Chasing a modest target they never looked comfortable loosing wickets at regular interval and failing to have a partnership going.

The Quarter final against the England was an one sided contest. The English men scored 229 somehow on a crumbling pitch with the loss of 6 wickets. It was Trott who came to the crease, put his head down and played a marvelous innings of his true caliber. But, in reply the Sri Lankans opener did not even let the rest of the batting to bother about the target. Dilshan was the man already in form and Tharanga also came to the party that helped them cruise to wickets with all 10 wickets intact. None of their bowlers were able to put a halt on them.

Just like in the group stage, Sri Lanka came to haunt the Kiwis yet again. Murali was already a point of concern and Mendis too added on the woes of kiwis. Bowling the Kiwis out to a modest total and then making a mockery of New Zealand bowling attack by scoring briskly at a very healthy run rate with every batsmen contributing very well, Sri Lanka made sure that they saw New Zealand roll over and die. It was a convincing defeat and the only positive for the Kiwis was their return of batsmen and Tim Southee’s bowling figures. Jacob Oram also impressed a lot with the bat as well as ball, but unfortunately it all was not enough to get past the Lankan Lions.

In the final all the records were waiting to be broken. Jayawardene scored a marvelous century but the team failed to capitalize on his great innings. The batting was fairly decent Sangakkara and Dilshan contributed very well, with some great cameos by Perera and Kulasekara. In reply, as the whole world knows, India cruised to victory. The major difference was that Sri Lanka was playing outside their country for just the second time in the world cup and no home advantage was there for them this time.

(More description in the next and last article of this series)