Cricket in the sub-continent
Watching the 3rd day’s play in the 2nd test between India & Sri Lanka at Kanpur makes one realize why it is only a matter of time before Australia take the number one crown back (in tests and ODIs).
SL were down and out after those quick blows before lunch in their first innings. What they had to do logically, from there, was to keep playing as if they were on par with India. The pitch was still looking good, the bowlers were the same ones they had dominated only a few days ago at Ahmedabad…in short there was hardly anything to worry about. Except for that 642 on the board. And that is what took down the rest of the SL wickets to fall in the day - that 642 on the board.
We saw Australia being put under similar pressure during the recent ODI series against a far superior Indian side (on paper…alas). Game after game, the Aussies fought back with increasingly limited resources. Given tests and ODIs are different, but its still the same game, the same skills, the same country ! Remember that exceptional throw from deep cover by that ‘whats-his-name-again-offspinner’ Nathan Haurtiz to get rid of Pravin Kumar during that chase in Hyderabad ? That was Aussie heart, not skill.
It is not just SL that can crumble. India have, in the past, crumbled in similar situations. The only shining light is probably the fact that India have shown some will to survive…atleast a little more than the Sri Lankans showed today. The marathon 2-day effort at Napier, the 1.5 day effort at Ahmedabad…if the wicket is harmless, India will probably staff off defeat…but only probably.
This is not a blurb for Australian cricket…just feeling let down by my favourite sub-continent cricketers. Two of those non-Indian sub continent players that I admire are Mahela and Sangakarra…that run out today felt like being punched in the stomach. It made me feel very sick…it made me feel very sad.
Please don’t let the Aussies dominate cricket again….please…