Jan 05 2009
Sri Lanka Need To Gear Up
The way the Bangladesh took Sri Lankans to task in the first test played at Mirpur is still afresh in the minds of the cricket lovers. Well, if this was something owing to some sort of underestimating on the part of the Sri Lankans, let us give it a pass temprorily. However, even the second test match between the same is found to be no different from the first encounter whatsoever. For, the Bangladeshi bowlers first bowled to Sri Lankan batsmen to 194/5 until Thilan Samaraweera and Kapugedera took charge and put up a 182 run partnership for the sixth wicket.
And however, at the end of the first innings, Sri Lanka ended on a decent but bot high note of 384 all out. And even the bowling department was not convincing either. When a follow on was thought to be on the cards, a fighting total as far as the Bangladeshis were conserned was found to be read on the scorboard. The scorecard read 208, just 166 runs behind the Sri Lankan total. And the wicket takers being the same old war horses- Muttiah Muraliatharan and Ajantha Mendis, who shared seven wickets between them. The rest of them just there to fill the vacant positions. This includes even Chaminda Vass too!
It was only now evident that even in a team like Bangladesh, there can be a number nine batsman who can put the opposition bowlers in frustration. This was the scene in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar trophy where Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan did it for India. But, that was India and the team which the Sri Lankana are now facing is Bangladesh. Are they both the same? Atleast, by then Sri Lanka should have realized that, Bangladesh are no more chokers in test cricket. And even if they are, taking them lightly would be no different than making a fool out of themselves.
Well, it is still not clear as to whether it is the Bangladesh which have raised their standards in cricket or is it the Sri Lankans who are finding it difficult to find form. Or, are the Sri Lankans taking the Bangladesh team lightly or the Bangladesh Cricket Board have stopped sparing non or under performing players from the squad, in turn forcing the players to either fire or quit?A more clearer picture is awaited. This probably could be when Bangladesh face other seven team and that is not the question of the hour. It is funny that the batting of Sri Lanka are still relying upon the experience of Sangakkara, Jayawardane, Samaraweera and Tilakeratne Dilshan. Someone like Chaminda Vass is still not able to contribute something with bat and not to forget the bowling which is below par compared to his experience.
It looks like another West Indies is in store for the cricket fans, looking at their vulnerability. Thank god that should happen.
