Sri Lanka deliver knockout punch on Australia

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

The body language of Ricky Ponting said it all. He knew it was curtains for his team as far as this tournament is concerned long before Mitchell Johnson’s wide down the leg side brought up Sri Lanka’s six-wicket win at Trent Bridge on June 8.

It was a must-win game for Australia, after having been thrashed by the West Indies in their opening game. Ponting must have been aware of the fact that the Sri Lankans were a more balanced outfit than the West Indians and their work was cut out against Kumar Sangakkara’s men.

As in their first game, the Australians didn’t get off to the kind of start that was essential to post a formidable total. In fact they lost a wicket in the very first over once more leaving Shane Watson to do the job of repairing the job with the skipper. The early departure of the explosive David Warner must have upset their plans of getting after the bowling from the outset.

Watson and Ponting did well to pull it back but the drama began with the introduction of the mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis, playing his first-ever game against the mighty Australians.

Even Ponting, arguably the greatest batsman of the world, was unable to come to terms with the deadly varieties of the magnificent Mendis. It was a cracker of a delivery that castled the champion batsman who was clueless whether to come forward to drive or rock back to defend.

Watson was even more confused while tackling Mendis and he was adjudged leg before after having survived a close shout earlier in the same over. Later Mike Hussey, the most accomplished of batsmen against spin bowling, was also foxed by Mendis.

The Australian innings was in disarray with the swinging yorkers of Lasith Malinga perfectly complementing the magic of Mendis. The great Mutiah Muralitharan was bang on target as usual, giving nothing away in his first three overs.

Australia, following the middle-order collapse, were in danger of being bowled out for a very low total. But a cameo from Johnson, who was particularly severe to Muralitaharan of all people, saw them reach a fighting total in the end.

The Sri Lankans were set a target of 160 in 20 overs and the Australians had to get wickets at regular intervals to stay afloat which they couldn’t. They did get rid of the experienced duo of Sanath Jayasuriya and Mahela Jayawardene cheaply but the half centuries from Tillakaratne Dilshan and skipper Sangakkara hurt them badly.

Sangakkara stayed at the crease till the end ensuring that was no panic near the end even though the asking rate had climbed to around nine an over. His presence in the middle allowed the young Jehan Mubarak to launch a murderous assault that settled the issue decisively.

Ponting tried everything he had up his sleeves. He rotated his experienced fast bowlers but the complexion of the game could not be changed. His face expression kept reflecting the pressure he was under.