Sports
Tactical errors cost Sri Lanka dearly
Rex Clementine in Miami
This year, Sri Lanka recorded series wins over both Bangladesh and Afghanistan in T-20 cricket. Yet, it is those two teams that are sitting pretty in the World Cup here in US. While Afghanistan stunned New Zealand, Bangladesh overcame Sri Lanka and nearly pulled off an upset win over formidable South Africa.
Such is the brutality of the T-20 format. A few errors could cost you dearly and suddenly you are under the pump facing elimination from the competition.
T-20s nature is such that you need to make decisions quickly and the wrong move could spell disaster. Babar Azam, Pakistan’s captain gambled by entrusting Mohammad Amir the Super Over during their shock defeat to USA. In hindsight, he must be thinking that Shaheen Afridi or Naseem Shah would have been the better option. He didn’t have much time to think before entrusting Amir with the crucial over.
S
imilarly, Mohamad Rizwan’s decision to take on Jasprit Bumrah of all people in the epic clash against India changed the outcome of that fixture and Pakistan are now doomed.
Sri Lanka do still have an outside chance provided they win their next two games – against Nepal in Miami and Netherlands in St. Lucia by handy margins. Then, they’ve got to hope that Netherlands beat Bangladesh. Possible, but the odds are many.
Sri Lanka’s decision to bat first in New York on an unknown batting strip has come under heavy flak. Yet, even after deciding to take first strike, if the team had assessed the conditions that this was not a 160 wicket but 120 would do the job, they would be breathing easy.
Too many batters got out playing flashy shots. The wicket was too paced and like Australian cricket grounds these are massive playing fields. Clearing the boundary is quite a task. Grinding, rotating the strike and converting ones into twos putting the fielders under pressure would have been the order of the day.
Bangladesh’ bowling resources aren’t challenging as South Africa’s and you expected at least in Dallas that the batters would learn the lessons. But several of them gave it away trying to clear the boundary.
Charith Asalanka so far has been given a lot of credit for the composure he shows in the middle and many have tipped him as captain in waiting. But his decision making on this tour has been shocking and disappointing.
Rohit Sharma’s bowling changes against Pakistan were quite inspiring and Wanindu Hasaranga has got a lot to learn from the Indian captain.
While the fans at home are bitterly disappointed with the outcome of the two games so far, that’s the nature of T-20 cricket. One blunder and you are staring down the barrel. Sri Lanka are a far batter side than what they have showcased. They need to bounce back. But now, everything is not in their hands.
India capped off a dominant tri-series campaign in Colombo with a resounding win over Sri Lanka, posting their highest-ever women’s ODI total on Sri Lankan soil—344 for five —before bowling the hosts out for 245.
Smriti Mandhana led the charge with a superb 11th ODI hundred—her first against Sri Lanka—anchoring partnerships of 70 with Pratika Rawal and 120 with Harleen Deol.
Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Jemimah Rodrigues chipped in with brisk 40s, while India smashed 90 runs in the last 10 overs.
Despite a spirited effort, Sri Lanka’s daunting chase faltered. Chamari Atapattu’s 50 and a few half-century stands weren’t enough to close the gap. Seamer Amanjot Kaur struck early, removing two of the top three, while offspinner Sneh Rana starred with four for 38, finishing as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker.
India’s batting wasn’t without drama—Rawal survived an early chance, and Mandhana was twice let off before unleashing her full range of strokes. She was especially brutal on Atapattu, sweeping her repeatedly through square leg and cover en route to a 92-ball century.
Amanjot’s return in the middle overs derailed the chase further, bowling Gunaratne and setting up Rana’s match-turning spell. Atapattu, despite reaching her 19th ODI fifty, was undone by Rana, who later removed three more to slam the door shut.
Late resistance from Sanjeewani and Kumari delayed the inevitable, but a run-out and two quick Rana strikes wrapped up the win.
India’s comprehensive display sent a strong message ahead of the Women’s World Cup, reaffirming their title credentials.
Brief scores:
India
342 for seven (Mandhana 116, Rodrigues 44, Kumari 2-59) beat Sri Lanka 245 (Atapattu 51, Rana 4-38, Amanjot 3-54) by 97 runs.
Apna Perera and Dinara de Silvaemerged as the men’s and women’s singles champions respectively at the 110th Colombo Championships continued at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association clay courts.
In the men’s singles final, Apna beat Ashen Silva 7-6, 6-1. Dinara registered convincing 6-1, 6-2 win over Venuli Jayasinghe in the women’s final.
In the boys’ Under 18 semi-finals, Ashlin de Silva beat Nethmika Wickramasinghe 6-2, 6-1 while Mayooran Kubheran beat Aahil Kaleel 6-7, 7-6, 6-4.
National champion Chamod Yodasinghe secured a creditable second place rank for an impressive performace of 10.27 seconds as he out did a strong field in the 100 metres at the Dubai Grand Prix on Friday.
Yodasinghe who was entered only for the 4x100m relay received a golden opportunity in Dubai when his request to run the 100 metres there was granted by the organisers. The athlete trained by sprint coach Sanjeewa Weerakkody equalled his personal best (10.27 seconds) in winning his race.
Incidentally, his winning time was second only to the winner of the first race where top ranked athletes including Yupun Abeykoon competed.
Oman’s Ali Al Balooshi was the fastest as he clocked 10.19 seconds while Abeykoon finished fifth with a time of 10.39 seconds.
Abeykoon who was making his first 100 metres appearance of the year was ranked sixth overall.
In the 4×100 metres relay Sri Lanka’s quartet finished third in a time of 39.41 seconds.
Yodasinghe will next compete at the Asian Athletics Championships later this month.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s 4×400 metres mixed relay team finished last in their heat at the World Relays in China yesterday.
by Reemus Fernando
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