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| Sunday, 24 November 2002 |
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Dilhara - hero in defeat by Srian Obeyesekere Even before the match was over, the South African t.v. commentators were hailing him as the only pace bowler to have made an impact on their soil in recent tours by visiting teams. Not even Glen McGrath or Brett Lee had bowled so well, was the candid opinion of a former star of a bygone generation, Barry Richards. Said Richards, "So many quickies had toured, but were not so quick as Dilhara." Indeed, Sri Lanka's Dilhara Fernando tantalised the South African batsmen in a bout of thunderbolts with the red cherry which nearly brought his country what would have been a famous victory. Defending a modest 121 runs, victory looked remote as ever. But after Chaminda Vaas' first ball wicket of Greame Smith, Dilhara stepped in to claim four of the top order batsmen including that of inform Jaques Kallis to give Sri Lanka a whiff of victory. The South Africans finally won after faltering and losing their way in a thriller which was hailed by the South African media as one of the best in a long time for all the drama on the final day which was heightened by sledging. It was batsman, Neil Mackenzie who turned out to be the match winner for his rescuing act for a top score of 39. But undoubtedly it was Sri Lanka's Dilhara Fernando who won the hearts of the South Africans. Not the least Barry Richards, Mike Heynsman, Pat Symcox and Keppler Wessels who were in the commentary box. There was Richards hailing the young Sri Lankan paceman as even classier than Shoib Akhthar. He was the hero in defeat. Dilhara's figures in the second Test at centurion were 4 for 49 which reduced the strong South African line-up to 5 for 31 and 6 for 44. Even at 7 for 73 the Sri Lankans were in with a chance of victory in a match which kept see sawing with the hosts ending on 127 without further loss. With it went Sri Lanka's chances of winning a Test match for the first time in South Africa and squaring the series, conceding it 2-0. But in comparison to the first Test, the Lankans had come up with a praiseworthy display in stretching the host team to the fifth day. Remarkably, the touring team had been without regular skipper, Sanath Jayasuriya. In that context it was a real test for stand in captain, Marvan Atapattu. And as Atapattu was to later remark it was one of the most memorable Test matches he had played in. Sri Lanka's other hero was centurion, Hashan Tillekeratne who battled age and the critics to carve a personal milestone with an epic century. His 104-run knock put him in the record books in becoming the first Sri Lankan batsman to score a century against South Africa in that country. But like Dilhara's great effort with the ball, what stands out in Tillekeratne's knock is that he mounted the record books when things were not that rosy when he walked in. To Tillekeratne's credit is that he had to anchor a brittle middle order which had only newcomer, Hasantha Fernando and Chaminda Vaas as the only recognised batsmen after the departure of Mahela Jayawardene. Fernando kept him company surviving some anxious moments in grafting 24 which was of course commendable for one playing in only his second Test match. Vaas came and departed quickly and it finally left Tillekeratne stranded on 91 when last man, Muttiah Muralitharan walked in with the total on 281 for 9 wickets. Muralitharan, who went on to compile 27, must be complimented for defending to enable Tillekeratne reach that milestone before slog sweeping the bowling which included a six. That Tillekeratne went on to reach three figures from there where not only personal glory but the team as well mattered in terms of runs must make this an innings of the highest character by a Sri Lankan. An innings that must stand among the best at that level. Above all that he scaled the age barrier in making a point to his critics who had written him off as too old for cricket. At age 35, he was the elder statesman in the team. What is more he was back after a 2-year break in the wilderness after being chucked out in 1999. Written off, Tillekeratne's career then looked good as over in a shake up which saw the selectors lay accent on youth when the left-hander went out of the team along with long time captain, Arjuna Ranatunga and Roshan Mahanama. But while Ranatunga did earn a recall sometime later, Tillekeratne remained in oblivion. Confined to domestic club cricket, the odds of making a comeback must have looked like a 100 in 1 for Tillekeratne. But the dour left hander battled his way with the bat doing duty for the Nondescript Cricket Club. A great season with the bat in leading his club to championship winners forced the selectors to call him to the national pool. Selected to play against Bangladesh in 2001, he did not come up with much of a score but was retained for the Test series against India which he justified with a majestic century kept company by debutant, Tilan Samaraweera who also reached three figures. His latest effort is Tillekeratne's 10th Test match century flaunted on copybook batsmanship of the highest technique. More as a grafter of runs whose stroke play flourished reaching the boundary 17 times mostly by cuts and of course sweetly timed flicks off his toes when in full flow. Indeed, it was a treat to watch the left hander's exemplary knock taking bouncers on his body, the high back lift of his bat in moving to and fro a hallmark in reading the bowling. Of course, new boy, young Jehan Mubarak, who opened the batting in place of the injured Jayasuriya, must be complimented. For a 21-year old playing in only his second Test match, the left handed Mubarak showed tremendous application and grit in laying the foundation for a decent first innings total. Mubarak was sound in defence treating the bowling on merit leaving the flying deliveries but quick to despatch the bad balls to the boundary which must have been an example to his more senior batsmen. Interestingly, while Tillekeratne has demonstrated that age is no barrier in cricket, young Mubarak has accentuated the fact that there is good young talent in the waiting wings. |
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