Run out of Mahela cause of downfall - Manager Tissera

By Ranjan Anandappa

Sri Lanka team manager Michael Tissera said that the team's successful run in the ICC Champions Trophy Tournament had to come to a sad end due to the unfortunate run out of skipper Mahela Jaywardena who looked set to put the team on a winning path after an uncertain start with the top order failing badly in their crucial game against South Africa which the Lankans faced a 'must win' situation.

The Sri Lankans won all three of their qualifying matches, beating Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and the West Indies, but lost to Pakistan and South Africa in their tournament matches. The team returned home on Thursday afternoon.

"The bowlers did a good job, restricting the South Africans for 219 for 9 in their 50 overs, which was a gettable total, but our top order lost their way amidst some fine fast bowling by the South African pacemen Shaun Pollock, Makhaya Ntini, Andrea Nell and Jacques Kallis who exploited the dew conditions to the maximum, backed up by excellent fielding by the Proteas."

"If the partnership between Mahela and Dilshan continued for a while ,with the likes of Chaminda Vaas who batted superbly to remain unbeaten on 29, the Lankans would have been in within a chance,but it was not be.

"The South African pacemen had the height and the ability to hit the deck hard and make the ball lift as the ball skidded awkwardy," said Tissera.

"Due to the dew settling in in the evenings, the captains were in a dileema at times, and a bit of uncertainity settling in their minds. Jaipur and Mohali was bad but Bombay seemed to be good with the sea breeze coming across." he said.

With a brief break, the cricketers are expected to participate in the Premier limited overs and four-day domestic tournament starting on first November, prior to taking wing to New Zealnd to play two Test matches and five one-dayers and a Twenty 20 tournament.