Gamble of selectors misfire and Sri Lanka thrashed by South Africa

by Sunil Thenabadu

Irresistible and pumped-up South Africa, freed themselves from suffocation by knocking Sri Lanka out of the World Cup 2015 by nine wickets with 32 overs to spare. Sri Lanka were out 133 in 37. 2 overs and South Africa 'made it' making 134 for one wicket.

The team Sri Lanka were embarrassed and humiliated by the defeat inflicted which shattered the World Cup dreams.

South Africa, after they were included to ICC as full-member, played in the the first ICC world cup only in year 1992 who were previously deprived in participating since the 1975 when the first World Cup was staged, owing to the country been in segregation in the apartheid era. They had failed to go beyond the quarter final stage since in all subsequent editions and hence they were adamant to break this 'hoodoo'. Skipper A. B de Villiers had quipped to the media blooming with confidence that history would not repeat, also would not bother them and would not be considered a criteria for winning this crunch game.

On the other hand, Sri Lanka having become the finalists in the past two World Cups in 2007 and 2011, needed to preserve their prestige at any cost and were under tremendous pressure.

Sri Lanka had adopted to deploy various 'mystery moves' to the run-up to this crucial game. Initially it was verbal dialogues via the media viz. "We can handle pressure very well' etc. "Obviously the pressure will take toll on them" was what skipper Mathews said just after winning the toss.

However when Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to bat, there was a huge roar from the stands who have fresh pleasant memories in their minds of the manner Sri Lanka responded to the pace battery of the Aussies just a week ago in a huge run chase.

However it was not to be as the South African pace trio in Dale Steyn, Kyle Abbott and Morne Morkel set it up with skill,hostility and aggression shattered Sri Lanka intentions with probing spells.

There were mystery selectors on Sri Lankan team.

The first mystery selection was opener Kusal Perera also known as to be in the 'Jayasuriya mould',emulating the legendary batsman.

He was flown in as a replacement, had played only in the previous game against Scotland not possessing a good ODI record, prone to sacrifice his wicket early. He also has a record of the highest number of ducks in ODI's having played previously in 42 ODI's had scored only 880 runs in 41 innings.

He was the 'mystery opener' selected to face fiery Dale Steyn considered world's best opening bowler.

He had been given the license to attack as confirmed by our own Russel Arnold while commentating, hence used his bat lke an 'axe's he swung violently at every delivery missing his shots , escaped been run out ,dangerously edging a few and as expected by many was soon back in the hut making just 03 runs in 10 balls,not what the selectors who blundered expected him to do.

The reason to question is why Lahiru Thirimanne was dropped to middle order when he had experience in the opening slot having scored 261 runs in the previous preliminary round matches in phase one of the world cup.

The selectors and those responsible in guiding them should take the entire responsibility the stupid misjudgment. Then why was Upul Tharanga ,an experienced opener having played in 176 ODI's previously brought in as replacement not chosen instead as opener do or die knock- out match.

What would have gone through his mind sitting on the bench,only he would know. Upul Tharanga has 10, ODI centuries and 28 fifties under his belt and had opened in the previous world cups in 2007 and 2011 having scored two centuries as well in the last world cup, and in addition been a prolific scorer in domestic circle.

The other two startling selections were the surprise 'mystery moves' adopted as ploys in bringing in spinner Tharindu Kaushal naming him as 'duplicate Murali','mystery spinner', as a raw debutante instead of the more experienced Sachithra Senanayake who was the regular specialist ODI spinner having an impressive past record branded as a match winning bowler unlike Rangana Herath who is only a proven Test match spin bowler.

Sachithra had played in 45 ODI matches and bowled in 43 innings had taken 49 wickets having made his debut over three years ago also against South Africa in January 2012, was also on the bench having had to stomach this hurting experience.