LASITH MALINGA AND ANGELO MATHEWS – “YES WE CAN”
Posted on November 3rd, 2010

By M D P DISSANAYAKE

The One Day International at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on November 3, has provided one of the best 50 over matchesƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  in the living history of the game. Chasing a target of 240 to win,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Sri Lanka was virtually written off from winning the game after several pedestrian batting performancesƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  by Dilshan Tillekeratne, Upul Tharanga, and Chamara Silva. At present only Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara appear to be in fine form, producing results consistently.

When chips were down atƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  8 for 107,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  the hopes of Sri Lankans were shattered.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The stylish Angelow Mathews started the mission impossible with colourfulƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Lasith Malinga, at a time no oneƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  believed that Sri Lanka could win the game.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The AussiesƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  were certain of victory,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  even an early preparations for theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  presentation ceremony was mooted. Angelo and Lasith had other ideas, they simply said to each other ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-yes we can, letƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s do itƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Angelo stepped up the accelerator in a fearless manner setting a turbulent stage, hammering Aussies all over the huge Melbourne Cricket Ground.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Yet at the early stages of his innings, we could not believe that the assault will continue for long with 8 wickets down, with Lasith Malinga as his partner, whose previousƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  highest ODI was only 16 runs. WhenƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Lasith became the aggressor and continued to play in a responsible manner, the Sri Lankan team did find a new life.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Lasith never looked back, he never feared the Aussie attack, he responded fire with fire with traditional village strength. Tissara PereraƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s 5 wicket haul was sensational, restricting Aussies for 240 runs. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It was an absorbing crispy match, watching the match replays will beƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  a guaranteed traditional inspirational medicine for any one seeking success in life.

In todayƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s newspapers, the Aussie media carried sensational headlines, such as ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Aussies discover news ways to lose- (The Australian)ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚, ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Aussies let Sri Lanka out of Jail-(The Courier Mail); ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-The Sri LankanƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s Great Escape- (The Age).ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

The 132 run partnership between Angelo Mathews and Lasith Malinga hasƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  surpassed the 27 year old record set by Kapil Dev and Syed Kirmani for the highest ninth-wicket partnership in World Cup 1983.

True to the headline, it was a great escape. With just 3 months away from the World Cup, pedestrian performances cannot be tolerated.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The team selectors should critically analyseƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  the team performances, ensuring a balanced side for future.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Sri Lanka needs a strong middle-order, with a combination of youth and experience.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Influential Chamara Silva has failed miserably to deliver goods on many occasions, despite theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  sudden re-introduction into the national team. Chamara Kapugedera, Thilan Samaraweera, Sanath Jayasuriya, Chaminda Vass, Dilhara Fernando will be key components of the chemistry in the final preparations for the world cup.

4 Responses to “LASITH MALINGA AND ANGELO MATHEWS – “YES WE CAN””

  1. Nanda Says:

    Disa Ayya,
    Some times you write like a fool. Do not taint this great win with unnessary garbage of your stupid ideas.
    Look at your last paragraph. You are the only fool who siad “we need 10 Jayasuriyas”. If Jayasuriya , the greedy man was selected don’t you think youngesters like Suraj,Angelo,Perera have any chance to play ?
    Chamara was selected because he single handedly saved a match in Queensland and thereafter played very well. Don’t make a big story out of his failure in justy one match while forgiving Jayasuriya who scored average less than 5 by playing number of matches.

  2. cassandra Says:

    Yes, it was a great game of cricket, and the way in which Angelo Mathews and Lasith Malinga won the game for Sri Lanka, after the team was down eight wickets for 107 and 133 runs still to get, was nothing short of phenomenal. Winning like this rightly belongs to the realm of fancy and fond dreams. All credit then to the two Ms – they are true heroes.

    One way of explaining their success is to say that they played like the Australians usually do. This sort of fight-back is what we have got used to see, time and again, from the Australians. And it is good to know that the lesson has not been lost on the SL side.

    Mathews and Malinga showed impressive skill during their record partnership. And just as importantly, they demonstrated a commendable temperament – obvious self belief and the ability to hold their nerve.

    As wonderful as the victory at the MCG was on Wednesday, SL cannot afford to relax. Today the teams meet again in Sydney, at another time and another place. Ponting will be back with his team and to one of his favourite scoring grounds. The capacity and determination of the Australians to fight back are only too well known, and SL will have to fight just as hard this time. But they go into the game with a wonderful confidence that only a great victory can give.

    It is interesting to recall that SL’s victorious 1996 World Cup campaign was immediately preceded by a tour of Australia. Perhaps, history will repeat itself and the current tour will prove to be similarly auspicious as SL prepares for next year’s World Cup.

    In the meantime, though, are you seriously suggesting that the selectors consider Sanath Jayasuriya in the squad? I take it you are only joking.

  3. chris Says:

    Yes Disa….
    Leave the Old man at a side,and let the game go with youngsters.Do not try to promote any politics.

  4. Nanda Says:

    Dissa Ayya,
    It is intersting to note that Chamar Silva was the only one who tried to stay until 50 overs in Brisbane match. Change your mind , don’t be stupid.

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