Majestic Mahela century fails to save Sri Lanka

Not even the Majestic century from Magnificent Mahela Jayawardena could save Sri Lanka from defeat in the crucial third game of the five match one-day series and gifting the series by three games at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad on Sunday.

The stylish right hander who retired from the established game and who is now concentrating on the shorter formats played one of his best innings in the 50 over format on Sunday.

Coming in to bat when Sri Lanka were off to a paralyzing start losing two wickets for seven runs that of Kushal Janith for four and the consistent Kumar Sangakkara for a first ball no score, Jayawardene took on the threatening pace and swing of Umesh Yadav to add respectability to his team's score.

When skipper Angelo Mathews won his third toss in a row and batted on what looked a good track for batting, and expected his opening batsmen Kushal Janith and Tillekeratne Dilshan to give them a solid start in an endeavour to win this crucial game and keep the series alive, the start was horrible.

Both left handers Kushal Janith and Kumar Sangakkara went in similar fashion. Both playing from the crease with absolutely no footwork which is essential and vital in batting nibbled the late swing of Yadav and snicked catches behind. Janith to the wicket keeper Saha and Sangakkara to Ashwin in the slips.

The deliveries that got both out were what dreams are made of. Pitched line on length and moved that extra bit to kiss the bat of both batsmen before nestling in the hands of the fielders. And from the moment these two champions departed, the cross of responsibility fell on the shoulders of Jayawardene to carry.

And he shouldered that responsibility like the true sportsman that he is. During his illustrious playing career, he has been in similar situations of match losing. But had stood tall, taking the opposition fearlessly and admirably winning games for the country.

Again he played a masterly inning scoring 118 and in the process hurdling past the 12 thousand run mark in one-day internationals. The first to achieve that no mean feat was the present Chairman of Cricket Selectors Sanath Jayasuriya followed by Kumar Sangakkara.

Not that Jayawardene craves or looks for records when batting, but it comes to him naturally and when it does come and it is announced only then does it dawn on Jayawardene. As he always says and puts it and believes - the game's the thing for him.

The manner in which he began his innings was exemplary. He had a good look at the bowling and how the wicket was playing and slowly and steadily gave life to his innings. He is a role model and it was a lesson to the youngsters watching. His three figure score was richly deserved an one that he will remember, because it came after a drought and after the scintillating 100 he made in the 2011 World Cup final in India.

But it would have hurt him when his sterling effort was in vain because Sri Lanka captivated meekly by 6 wickets and gifted the series to India. He showed that he has the thirst and hunger for more cricket and runs. His early retirement from Test cricket will be queried.

When batting first, it is paramount that the openers give the side a good platform to build on, get a formidable score and put the side chasing under pressure. From the moment Janith and Sangakkara went, it was a struggle and an uphill task and although Jayawardene, Dilshan and Seekkuge Prasanna did their best the total of 242 was well short of a target that should have been around the 300-run mark.

The failures of Skipper Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera could be excused. Both got devil balls from left arm spinner Patel and Yadav and there was no way that they could have survived.

Imagine Kushal Janith 4, Sangakkara 0, Mathews 10 and Perera 1, Chaturanga de Silva 2 and Ashan Priyanjana 2 and where's the future?

But that the Lankans finally got to 242 was creditable, but not enough to keep the rampaging Indian batsmen from winning the game and with it the series and the remaining two games could be used for record breaking purposes.

The series from Sri Lanka's point was a calamity, a debacle and one that the cricketers, the selectors, the coaches, the trainers, Sri Lanka Cricket and the cricket crazy public will want to erase from their memory.

When the whingeing started when it was announced that Sri Lanka Cricket was going to fill the void created by the West Indians owing to a pay dispute with their Board, there was no doubt that the tour could be a flop and that is how it ended.

But Sri Lanka Cricket, the selectors and the cricketers need not be disheartened or disappointed. These are early days and a lot more time for the bottom line that is the 2015 World Cup.

True this tour is a testing one. It is no easy task beating the Indians in their own backyard. Not many teams have had the satisfaction of achieving success in the sub continent. With cricket crazy and wildly cheering supporters flocking to every venue and inspiring the players, the cricketers raise their game and become larger than life.

The Indian cricket cupboard is overflowing with talent. Not ordinary talent, but rich talent that is the envy of other countries. They have batsmen who could punish any attack, bowlers who can penetrate any defence and fielders who can make caches out of nothing.

And in Virat Kohli, the captain in waiting to take over from Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the Indians have an excellent leader. After a dismal tour of England, where probably other distractions knocked his concentration, he is now batting in the form of old which would have warmed the cockles of the Indian selectors.

And after the no nonsense former Captain Ravi Shastri was invited to join their cricket set up, the team has shown marked improvement all round. He has added the agro that was lacking on the tour of England to the team.

POSTCRIPT

Apropos last Sunday, I reproduce below a message I received from my former Benedictine team mate Cyril Ernest, a well known sportsman of years gone by where I recall with affection and nostalgia the blinder of a catch he took at leg slip to dismiss the writer off bowler Oliver Ranasinghe after I had hit him for fours in the two previous deliveries in the 'Sara' game between the Saracens and the Adastrians at Rifle Green.

Here is Ernest in his own words: Thank you very much for including some snippets about me in your 'SPORTSCOPE' article. I am always delighted to see your articles on the internet or the newspapers about cricket and other matters associated with cricket.

You have in your own right become a legend in international sports journalism and I am proud to have you as a close friend. It was indeed a wonderful era in the annals of sports at St. Benedict's College during the time we had the privilege of representing our Alma Mater.

We forged lasting friendships during this time and really enjoyed the camaraderie with our fellow sportsmen and the supporters and our classmates.

Perhaps you wouldn't know it, but I have to let you know how thrilled I am to see your name appearing in any sports article that you pen.

Good luck and all the best in your future endeavours.

Enjoy life now, It has an expiry date on it.

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