Dave Bunnell, CC BY-SA 2.5 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5>, via Wikimedia Commons
You could almost hear the strains of Daryl Hall and John Oates’ ‘Maneater‘ playing over last nights final ODI between Sri Lanka and Australia. Yes boys she’s a man-eater, and yes boys she will, and did chew you up (mental note for Hall and Oates – I’m not sure chewing is appropriate lyrical subject matter). The Sri Lankan pitch produced some ridiculous spin and also clearly helped the Aussie quicks who bundled the Sri Lankans out for 160, a figure which would have been far more diminutive if it wasn’t for the talents of Chamika Karunaratne who scored 75 at a run a ball. Oh did I mention the Australians won? Whatevs.
The Sri Lankan innings never really started, with wickets falling quickly and runs seeming hard to come by. Hazelwood produced the early damage with Cummins and Kuhnemann joining the party, all scooping 2 wickets a piece. Some decent spin from Maxwell and Labuschagne , including a brilliant run out from the latter, added to the package. Just as Sri Lank looked to completely capitulate with half their overs still to face, The Karunaratne Kid stepped up, looked around and wondered what the fuss was all about. His player of the match turn saw him score nearly half of the Sri Lankan’s total. Someone was owed a few beers post-match from his team mates me thinks. By the 43rd over Theekshana was left standing alone in the middle with the rest of his team warming the bench.
160? Too easy right? Wrong. Almost too hard! The Australian batsmen looked uncomfortable from the start and that discomfort started to materialise in the wickets column. Finch continued his duck farming and decided to leave his batting partner without troubling the scoreboard, or his opposition. Warner clearly missed Finch and through concern left to check on his fellow opener after scoring only 10 runs. Marsh looked edgy throughout his 24 runs and when he tried to break the shackles off the bowling of Liyanagamage ended up skying the ball into the awaiting hands of Nissanka. But I am burying the lead here by not discussing the elephant in the room – the spinning pitch and the Sri Lankan mastery of the beast. Theekshana and Wellalage channelled the spirits of Hall and Oates (hang on, are those guys dead?) and spun the living bejesus out of the ball. Funnily enough I think they turned the ball too much at times and while it produced some terribly uncomfortable batting, it also missed the edge to many times and didn’t result in as many wickets as it looked like it should. Regardless, most of the Aussies batsmen looked like deer in the proverbial headlights and Theekshana had his on full beam. Speaking of the man, I’m not sure I’ve heard the term “mystery spinner” used so many times by the Fox affiliated commentators. Isn’t all spin a mystery? Do we call fast bowlers “mystery quicks” when they bowl a slower ball or swing it the other way? Or what about a “mystery batsman” who misses a bowl they should have hit? I know I have mystery written all over me when I bat. Anyway, the kid is good, real good.
So how did Australian end up winning you ask? Don’t ask me, go ask Alex Carey who read the game well and dug in hard to shepherd Australia towards victory. Labuschagne tried to be the wind beneath his wings but ended up being more akin to Bette Midler’s earlier work (1979’s “classic” ‘You’re Moving Out Today‘). Maxwell came in with an aggressive mindset and I immediately found myself saying “yeh Maxy, that’s exactly how this game should be played… mystery my ass”. Until he got out after facing 17 balls. Sad face. Could Green be the man that halts the slide? I wanted him to be and only partly because of my man crush on him (purely cricket based). What do you know, the youngster played his hand perfectly alongside Carey and even managed some pizazz at the end, hitting a beautifully driven six over long off to finish the game. Phew!
What a great series this was. Sri Lanka showed just what they are capable of, and considering this is a side in development I think all international teams need to keep watch. But what about the Sri Lankan crowds? I’m not sure I’ve seen a better and more supportive crowd who were incredibly appreciative to be able to see such great cricket in their own country, particularly considering the tough time the country is having at present. Highlights included many in the final game crowd wearing yellow in suppport of the Australians and then chanting “Australia, Australia” in unison at the end of the match in appreciation of the tourists efforts in making this historic tour a reality. Too cool, really.
