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| Sunday, 12 February 2006 |
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Lankans must tighten noose further on Aussies Elmo Rodrigopulle reporting from Australia The Sri Lankans now that they have planted the noose firmly on the necks of the Australians must tighten it further and strangle them to defeat when they meet in the second best of three Victoria Bitter cricket finals under lights at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday. All tickets were snapped up days before the match and a sell-out crowd, with the Lankans proudly waving the Lion flag and making a big noise, bringing in the papara, papara bands, singing and cheering the Lankan cricketers to victory being an added attraction. The SCG has been a happy hunting ground for the Lankans. It was here that basher Sanath Jayasuriya blasted one, if not the finest centuries seen in one day cricket, that led to the Australians being thrashed in a preliminary game. It was also on this ground that Jayasuriya and Marvan Attapattu put on a big opening stand of 237 on the previous tour that is still a VB Series record in this style of game. They will be partners again and if they are determined, there is no reason why they should not repeat. The Australians, have only managed to bounce back to win the series from 1-0 down in the finals twice in 26 years. The Aussies last lost the series in 2001-2002 which led to Steve Waugh being sacked as one-day captain. Does the same fate await captain Ricky Ponting? The Lankans who are now oozing with confidence, must stay that way believing that they are second to none. They made the Aussies look ordinary with their attacking brand of play. They must approach this game in like vein and the Aussies will crumble. Again the side winning the all important toss will be in the pilot's seat. They will be able to control, manipulate and steer the cricketing plane from any turbulence and safely land it on the victory runway. The SCG wicket has always been batting friendly with its even pace and bounce. If the Lankans bat first, they should be able to run up another big score and have the Aussies on the ropes and deliver the knockout blow. In a pre-match interview before the first game, the Aussies vowed to get fiery speedster Brett Lee to pitch short with tremendous speed and undo Jayasuriya. They promised to bounce and give him the 'chin music' as they call it by aiming it at his chin. But Jayasuriya who revels in a challenge, faced and countered Lee and all batsmen followed Jayasuriya's example and saw to it that the highly rated Lee went wicketless, which was sweet music to the Lankans. Once again Jayasuriya must fire and make it a point to be a bit more cautious and not fall prey to the traps set by the Aussies. Atapattu, Sangakkara, Jayawardena, Arnold, Dilshan and Kapugedara must again keep up the run making act. What an innings young Chamara Kapugedara played. Kapugedara's 38 with three massive sixes in 21 balls was a connoisseur's delight. Undaunted by the occasion, he stood and delivered and showed promise of being one if not the most exciting batsman in this style of game. Dilshan and Kapugedara clouted five sixes between them and Dilshan?' six onto the roof of the Chappell Stands was one of the best seen on the ground. They were chiefly instrumental in helping the team post 88 runs in the final 10 overs. Dilshan's 26 in 20 balls with 2 sixes was also an outstanding effort. Dilshan's fielding where he was instrumental in running out four batsmen and the catch he took was what dreams are made of. Muttiah Muralitheran was once again heckled by home team spectators, and it was nice to see him keep his cool and make the ball do the talking by lurering three of their best bats to their death. He made the big hitting Andrew Symonds look silly the way he sorted him out with a cleverly bowled doosra. The Lankans will go into this game with the same match winning combination and if they continue to believe in themselves and perform the way we know they can, then they can become the first Sri Lankan team to win the Victoria Bitter Cup in its 26 year history. This is the last time that Victoria Bitter would be sponsoring this
series and if the Lankans win, they may have the Trophy for keeps. |
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