Sri Lanka failed to reach the Semi Finals of the inaugural Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa, as they lost to Australia in the crucial match held between the two teams.
In the virtual quarter final between the ODI World Cup finalists, Australia and Sri Lanka, winning the toss, Stand-in-Captain of the Australian side, Adam Gilchrist, invited Mahela Jayawardene’s team to bat first. Sri Lanka could not have a worst start, with Sanath Jayasuriya being trapped leg before by Brett Lee in just the third ball of the first over. The other opener, Upul Tharanga followed suit. Kumar Sangakkara, who had a rather disappointing tournament, sticked around to hit 22 off 23 balls. Jayawardene too was caught by Clark off a Lee delivery. Jehan Mubarak, the top scorer for Sri Lanka, who hit 28 off 26 balls, and Chaminda Vaas, who managed to get 21, helped the score go past 100. But, the Sri Lankans who had a terrible day, were all out for 101.
In reply, the Aussies reached the target in just 10.2 overs, as Matthew Hayden top scored with 58.
Stuart Clarke, who had an amazing day with the ball, took 4-20.
From start to end, Sri Lanka were never on the game. After the batting collapsed, like a pack of cards, there was nothing, their bowlers could do. And, thus, they head home after loosing two matches, one to Pakistan and the other to Australia in the Super Eights.
Although it was a terrible show by the Sri Lankans today, they had a commendable run in this Twenty20 World Cup, which was a rather new experience for everyone, and that too even without their premier bowler, Muttiah Muralitharan.
Dilhara Fernando’s consistent fantastic performance as a fast bowler and youngster, Jehan Mubarak’s form are two positives, that the Sri Lanka will be definitely happy about.
It is no wonder to anyone that, Sanath Jayasuriya has been an amazing player for Sri Lanka for almost 18 years. In fact, he is a rare gem, that any team would wish to have. But, either we like it or not, one day he will have to retire from the game. And, that day, not only him, but everyone else can only be delighted, if, a youngster has been groomed to continue, from where he left. Even though it is undoubtedly hard to find a player of such caliber, there are many talented youngsters in the domestic circuit. If Sri Lanka is to have a future, these youngsters need to be given opportunities, as well as facilities to develop in to World Class Cricketers. That would be the easiest, and the quickest path to find New Jayasuriya’s, De Silva’s, Atapattu’s and even Sangakkara’s and Jayawardene’s.
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