Monday, April 16, 2007

Lions Vs Kangaroos - Did we miss something???

It’s 34 for 3 wickets (at the time of writing) and the Sri Lankans are struggling and struggling badly.

The encounters with the Aussies have always been tough yet no other match against any other opposition is as enthralling as with the Aussies. Tough games should be fought with the optimum power that can be used. In that sense, has Sri Lanka got it all wrong?

Yes, I’m talking about leaving Vaas and Murali out of today’s game. The experts see it as a meticulously crafted trick by the selectors, but to my little cricketing knowledge it’s a big mistake.

How stupid is to leave Vaas and Murali, Sri Lanka’s two prime time bowlers, in a match against the world champions? Resting: what’s that? If they want to rest them let them do it in the next game with the Irelands. Why risk a perfectly even battle and give the Aussies the upper hand from the very beginning of the match? It was guaranteed that a Sri Lanka Vs Australia match would invite the biggest interest in the whole tournament. But with two of our best bowlers “rested” and a mediocre performance from the top order, it’s turning out to be another low scoring, boring and one sided battle. On the side line, it should be mentioned that the Aussies always fought with their full team, even against the Irelands. Some may argue that Sri Lanka has already booked their place in the Semi finals, but so has the Aussies.

Imagine what a win against the Aussies today can do to the spirit of the team? A win against the world champions before going into the semi finals would be a huge boost for the overall team. So, is it the case that tomorrow morning most of us would say “Had we fought with our full might, we would have given a great fight”? Is it arrogance (or stupidity) that put us in a spot of bother today?

I candidly hope that I’ll be able to smile in the dawn tomorrow; with a Sri Lankan win of course.


Tuesday Morning

I was right , wasn't I?

Sri Lanka hide their cards for bigger hands

Jayawardene defends resting stars

A baffling selection


3 Comments:

jay said...

I think today was a tactical match. After we won the NZ match we were qualified for the semi's. As we all know injury is possible during these high profiled matches. therefore i think Murali and Vass were called out at the last minute. I'm sure Malinga, Murali and Vass will be there for the semi match. On the other hand SL cricket analysts must have been monitoring the Aussies responses during the match so we can be better prepared for the final if we are through. Overall result for me is that it is a rehearsal

Sophist said...

Yes....WISL you're right. The Aussies have the satisfaction of a completely valueless win. They got no batting practice against three of the top bowlers in the world. And they're in an almighty huff that we rested good players against them. Who is laughing in their dressing rooms...certainly not the Aussies. Think out of the box mate...

Niro said...

sophist:
Read this. Better analysis than mine. but the core is the same.

thanx anyway.