India shall end its disastrous tour and fly back, while Sri Lanka marches ahead to the final. Well being our co-continent country our wishes are now for them.
As an ardent fan of cricket, what did one feel at the outsight after viewing the match at the Melbourne stadium, while Sri Lanka win over Australia for the Common Wealth Bank Series to qualify for the finals. Absolutely entertaining, till the last ball. But is there something smelling at the venue, feel the speculative. Leaving the critics to their views let us move on to see, how our Mumbai Indian (courtesy IPL) Lasith Malinga single handedly drove the success to his team. In spite of not a big score to defend and the injury of a Thisara Perera, in the first over itself and the predominant attack of the Australians, the Lankan bowler made a quick turn around and knocked the home team out of their chances to claim victory.
Early on Friday, Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat. Their innings were limited to a mere 238 all out due to the fierce bowling attack by the Australians. Not even a hat-trick from Daniel Christian, a four-wicket comeback from James Pattinson could help the home team to fight against the lions. The batting honors went to Dinesh Chandimal, Kumar Sangakkara and Lahiru Thirimanne who scored a half century each and set up the total.
In the second half of the day the Australins who looked over confident walked in and played to the best of their mite. Shane Watson made a good knock of 65 runs and in the end David Hussey made 74 runs. But the bowling was phenomenal coupled with good fielding by the Lankans. In spite of giving almost 16 extra’s, double the figure given by the home team, the Lankan lions roared victory. Malinga beat the home team and claimed four wickets. Especially the ball that claimed Shane Watson was really the match turner, I should say. But Chandimal claimed the Man of the Match honors for his magnificent knock given the brutal attack. It is the third time in the series that the Lions beat the Oz in this series, on their home grounds. Sri Lanka is all set to take this cup which has evaded the nation for the last eight times. (With inputs from internet: AarKay)
