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Sri Lanka were the number two team in the world as
per the official ODI ratings not very long ago. But
their fortunes of this side have changed
dramatically since their disastrous defeat in the
one-day series in India. A 6-1 embarrassment was
followed by a disappointing 0-2 loss in the Test
series. And as invariably happens when things
aren't going your way, matters only get worse. So
the recalled Jayasuriya 'fell' out of contention
yet again, this time after a fall in the bathroom
prior to the second ODI against New Zealand
(theoretically the third since the first game was
played last year prior to the tsunami). On the
field, the visitors missed a golden opportunity to
clinch a win at Christchurch as Nathan Astle, who
eventually led the Kiwis to victory, was dismissed
twice off no-balls bowled by Dilhara Fernando and
Chaminda Vaas respectively.
The New Zealanders took away all the honours in the
first game at Queenstown, their last of 2005, with
a crushing seven-wicket victory. The triumph was
led by two unknown commodities of New Zealand
cricket. Debutant opener Jamie How kick-started his
international career with an impressive 58. Giving
him company for most part of his innings was Peter
Fulton, who had played only one game more than How.
The latter remained unconquered on 70 as the New
Zealanders comfortably achieved a paltry target of
165. The success of the two youngsters has been
among the few silver linings for New Zealand
cricket, who have been starved of success lately
due to the lack of evident talent.
The win though could not have been possible without
the crucial contribution of the bowlers. Mills,
Oram and 'comeback specialist' Shane Bond snatched
three scalps each to keep Sri Lanka's cup of woes
flowing. Many Lankan batsman got starts, but
'middle-of-the-road' contributions from the likes
of Dilshan, Atapattu and Arnold weren't good
enough.
The Lankans put up a much-improved showing in the
next game at Christchurch. However, they squandered
a big opportunity to post a big score despite a
supreme ton by upcoming talent Upul Tharanga. In
fact, they were comfortably positioned at 133-1
with Tharanga and Sangakkara going great guns,
until a mix-up turned the tide in New Zealand's
favour. It was once again that man Bond who
provided the much-needed breakthrough, albeit in
the form of a run-out.
Once the partnership was separated, the Lankans
kept losing wickets with the scoreboard not making
any significant progress. In the end, it needed a
breezy half-century by skipper Atapattu and a
rapid, unbeaten 21 by Arnold to take the team past
the 250 mark.
Though Sri Lanka were in with a chance for most
part of the New Zealand chase, the experience of
Nathan Astle, who was dropped from the original
squad, coupled with some undisciplined bowling,
helped the Kiwis reach the target with two overs to
spare.
The Kiwis also demonstrated how the new Supersub
innovation could be used to great effect by
earmarking Nathan Astle for that role. |