Captain Tillekeratne Dilshan is dismissed cheaply in Sri Lanka’s second innings of the first Test against England in Cardiff in 2011. The Sri Lankans went to England unprepared due to the IPL and were blown away inside 25 overs in their 2nd innings to lose the Test by an innings. Their total of 82 all out is Sri Lanka’s lowest recorded on British soil. (Files)
The national cricket team arrived in Cardiff yesterday to begin their campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy. There was no training scheduled for the Sri Lankans yesterday, but during the four-hour bus drive, the squad members would have had plenty of time to reflect on their disastrous performance in the first Test against England two years ago in Cardiff.
Their first game of the Champions Trophy will be played at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on Sunday.
The 2011 Test was Tillekeratne Dilshan’s debut as captain and the Sri Lankans were thrashed by an innings.
The game had been dominated by rain and a heavy downpour on the morning of the final day made people wonder whether there would be any play at all.
Towards the afternoon, rain ceased, but dark clouds were still hovering around when the umpires decided to commence play after nearly four hours had been lost on the day.
England were 491 for five overnight and batted for two overs, after resumption, to allow Ian Bell to his century.
With a little over a session remaining on the final day, even the most optimistic English fan wouldn’t have expected a result was possible, especially against a side that had posted 400 runs in their first innings. Into the bargain, England were one bowler short as well as James Anderson was injured.
But the Sri Lankans suddenly started edging to the slip cordon and the Englishmen started pouncing on every opportunity that came their way.
Six wickets had gone for 43 runs inside 18 overs.
There was some hope as wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene walked into the middle. Jayawardene had hit a century in the first innings and was the in-form batsman.
But he lasted a mere six balls getting out in the most disgusting fashion as he gloved a Chris Tremlett delivery attempting a hook shot.
Sri Lanka were blown away inside 25 overs. England utilized only three bowlers. Stuart Broad and Tremlett shared six wickets between them while Graeme Swann accounted for four. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 82 runs, their lowest total in England.
Prior to the series, there were question marks about Sri Lanka’s preparations. Sri Lanka’s IPL billionaires didn’t get back home in time to take part in a training camp prior to the series. Instead they opted to fly direct to England and even missed a warm-up game.
Efforts were made by the Sports Ministry to bring back players home early, but Sri Lanka’s senior players were brilliant in outsmarting all politicians and put pressure through the Board of Control for Cricket in India to remain in the IPL.
Sri Lankan cricket was at low ebb with country’s elite players showing their loyalty to their private franchises setting aside the interests of the nation.
Some of the things the players did to justify their cause painted country’s top cricketers in poor light. Having done all the underhand work, no player had the right to criticise the board for whatever its failings. This was hypocrisy of the highest order. St. Mathew’s gospel quotes Jesus to have said, “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your others’ eyes.”
Spare a thought for Tillekeratne Dilshan. He may not be the most polished person to have captained Sri Lanka, but he had the character to leave the IPL early and go to England in time to lead the country. (by Rex Clementine)
Source: The Islands (Sri Lanka)
