Dropped catch and suicidal run out proves costly for Sri Lanka
Whatever semblance of a chance Sri Lanka had of making a match of it evaporated with the fifth wicket run out of Asela Gunaratne with the total on 119 as Sri Lanka chased South Africa’s imposing 307 for 6 at Durban’s Kingsmead at a run rate of 6.14 an over.
Dinesh Chandimal was the striker, and moved out of his crease with the stroke on the off side before rushing back to his crease leaving Gunaratne who had scampered down stranded. The 44-run partnership between the duo had lifted Sri Lanka from a dire 74 for 3, and had seemed to be blossoming when indiscretion crept in. The suicidal dismissal must evoke question marks about the running between the wickets of the Sri Lankans that has notably lacked cohesion and the discipline of commitment for the team cause. Quick singles are a matter of split second decision making where particularly the non striker it is who is the best judge whether there is a run there when the striker goes through with the shot. In this particular instance as Sri Lankan TV commentator Russel Arnold remarked Chandimal had committed himself for the single. However, the onus whether to go ahead lay with Gunaratne who should have realized that there was no run there and sent back his partner. Run out is the worst possible way for a top batsman to get out, and there is much the young Sri Lankan batsmen can school themselves in watching contemporary batsmen execute run making to perfection. Perhaps, they would benefit much watching video footages of the famous West Indian openers Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes who not only demolished bowling attacks but were a case study of right calling.
That Chandimal did not last long and was out for the addition of only 13 runs to end as the top scorer with 36 saw the towel thrown in by Sri Lanka to be all out for 186 in 37.5 overs giving South Africa a 121-run win. Sri Lanka did get off to a reasonable start when skipper Upul Tharanga, who promoted himself to his once customary opening slot, put on 45 for the first wicket with Niroshan Dickwella who made 25. But the rut set in with Tharanga too departing in quick succession in a game where the top order was unable to convert fair starts in to sizable proportions with Kusal Mendis departing for 20. Dhananjaya de Silva was out cheaply for 1 while Gunaratne fell for 18 by act of rashness leaving the tail to wag before been extinguished by a well oiled South African bowling attack.
There were other moments too for the Sri Lankan camp to rue in so much as letting slip the initiative when the bowlers had South Africa in trouble at 1 for 19, 2 for 63, 3 for 71 and 4 for 108 with prize batsmen Hashim Amla, A.B. de Villiers and the openers back in the pavilion. That it was the sixth man in David Miller who was the cushion to No. 3 batsman F.U de Plessis’ scripting a South African recovery to ultimately put them in a match winning situation, would be a factor the Sri Lankans would be lamenting especially having given de Plessis a life on 63 which would have put the hosts in deep trouble at 118 for 5 had he been taken by Dhananjaya de Silva in slip. Up to that point the Sri Lankan bowlers had been on target with Suranga Lakmal, Lakshan Sandakan, Pathirana and Dhananjaya de Silva accounting for the top order cream, with the latter dismissing De Kock for 13, but must lament spilling De Plessis which was crucial for Sri Lanka.
By Srian Obeyesekere
-The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Sri Lanka Cricket-
