Astronomyinertia, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
I wish I was in the crowd at last nights game as the sense of joy after Sri Lanka pulled off a wonderful win was palpable, even through the idiot box. On a wicket that spun sharply, it was pace that put wickets on the score sheet at pivotal match moments.
Pat Cummins bowled beautifully and along with an excellent debut by Matthew Kuhnemann and some canny bowling from Glenn Maxwell Australia kept Sri Lanka to a modest total of 220. Once again rain affected play (good euphemism for a specific type of sexual disaster) but only took a few overs from the match. Kuhnemann not only gave by ball, but also by hand after taking two solid catches (the first one was a beauty).
Two hundred and twenty? Too easy mate. Or not. This is not how you write sentences is it? Let’s try this – Warner looked solid, as did Finch, and theSri Lankan’s meagre total was starting to look downright anaemic. And it would have been if the two openers didn’t both play less than stellar shots and received marching orders back to the sheds. Smith looked good once again but like happens so often with the top and middle Australian order, he found a way to get out, worrying the scoreboard by only 28 runs. Head looked scratchy (get it?) and never really found his groove, which was a pity as I had high expectations (also the name of my audiobook only autobiography), getting scuttled for 23. Labuschagne had the same issue as Head and is still in need of finding the right approach in these shorter format games. But even with 5 wickets down, the warming sight of Maxwell at the crease made it all feel like mummy was going to kiss our boo boos and make everything right. Mummy lied. Maxwell departed, Carey left, Cummins said goodbye and I was left along with a sinking feeling as I watched Mitch Swepson walk to the crease (bless his socks). Yada, yada, yada and the Aussies were all out for 189 in the 37th over. Yucky! But it must be said that the Sri Lankans bowled well and backed it up with some great fielding, unlike the Australians. Karunaratne was a star with the ball, particularly in the back end of the game when it really mattered. The Karunaratne Kid? Does that even work?
With the series level and the Sri Lankans showing that they have what it takes to compete against the Australians, we officially have a wonderful series on our hands. Mitchell Starc may return next game and I’m hoping we’ll also see Cameron Green and Mitchell Marsh available. Good times!
