Sri Lanka played ‘scared’ cricket
South Africa were superb against Sri Lanka, and it was one of their best performances in 10 or more years for a number of reasons.
The first involved the importance of the occasion, which had been a problem for us in the past. The second was the quality of the bowling and fielding. Many SA teams have taken pride in being hostile with the ball and making life uncomfortable for the batsmen, but very few have done it quite as consistently as the five who bowled on Wednesday.
Dale Steyn was clearly in a different gear, it is something which happens sub-consciously depending on the importance of the match and how much his team needs him. Morne Morkel probably produced his most consistent performance ever. Apart from a couple of no-balls, I didn’t see him RESULT: SOUTH AFRICA WON BY 9 WICKETS bowl a bad ball. It was virtually impossible to score against him. I was stunned to watch Kumar Sangakkara score just six from his first 40 balls, but it was a reflection of how SA bowled to him.
Kyle Abbott proved again that he is much more than a ‘reserve’ while Imran Tahir collected his second Man-of-the-Match award. It amazes me how few people outside South Africa have realised what a phenomenal ODI record he has over the last 2-3 years.
What can you say about JP Duminy? We encouraged him years ago to take his bowling seriously. Now, he has a World Cup hat-trick to show for it.
As good as the Proteas were, Sri Lanka looked like they were playing ‘scared’ cricket. I recognised it because we played it a few times ourselves. There was no intensity. Perhaps their players wanted it too much, just as we did, and that leads you to play differently from the way you normally do.
I’m sorry for Mahela Jayawardene and Sanga and that their careers ended on such a note. But fairytales can’t be produced on demand. One match doesn’t remotely taint their amazing careers; they were amongst the finest cricketers and people I ever shared a field with.
I cannot see India being upset by Bangladesh. Not only will the Tigers need to play the perfect game, MS Dhoni’s team will need to be seriously off-colour. Even then, luck would have to play a role. On a good wicket in such a big match, India can be the only winner.
The writer is a former SA all-rounder HAWKEYE/CHIVACH SPORTS Kumar Sangakkara (SL) Brendan Taylor (Zim) AB de Villiers (SA) Glenn Maxwell (Aus)
B McCullum (NZ) (min. 100 runs) 541 433 417 190.37 187.59 Mitchell Starc (Aus) Mohammed Shami (Ind) Trent Boult (NZ) Daniel Vettori (NZ) Mitchell Starc (Aus) (min. 30 overs) 16 15 15 3.21 3.67
@sachin_rt: Well done on glorious ODI careers @ KumarSanga2 & @MahelaJay Being an integral part of the ODI side for so many years, it is difficult to imagine the side without the 2 of you. Wishing you the very best and will miss the 2 of you constructing the innings in coloured clothes Sachin Tendulkar, former India batsman
@anilkumble1074: Congrats to @MahelaJay and @ KumarSanga2 for a wonderful one day careers. SL will find it difficult to fill the gap...too big a shoes...
Anil Kumble, ex-India spinner