August 16, 2017 issue
Cricket
171 runs; clinch series 3-0
India claimed their first ever 3-0 series win overseas, beating Sri Lanka in the third and the final Test at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, on Monday by an innings and 171 runs.
Indian bowlers did not take much time to wrap up Sri Lanka's second innings on day three. Starting the day at 19 for 1, Sri Lanka lost three wickets by the time they could add 15 more runs and the writing seemed to be on the wall, until Chandimal and former skipper Mathews put on 65 runs for the fifth wicket, to allow the team to go in to lunch at 82 for 4, still trailing India's first innings score of 487 by 270 runs.
However, after the break, the departures of both well set batsmen spelt doom for the Sri Lankans and they folded for 181.
For Sri Lanka, it was a chance to go down fighting and that fighting spirit was shown well by both Chandimal and Mathews. The fact that they have little to do in terms of impact in the match probably helped them to play without pressure. But in the end, that amounted for nothing.
Mohammad Shami once again set the tone with a probing spell early but it was his opening partner for the day, Ravichandran Ashwin who got the first breakthrough in the form of SL's highest run-getter in the series, Dimuth Karunaratne. Karunaratne was undone by a flatter one that slid on, with the batsman edging to first slip Ajinkya Rahane.
Shami got his due soon after when night watchman Malinda Pushpakumara edged one behind to Wriddhiman Saha. An over later, Shami trapped Kusal Mendis full and wide that came back in. Mendis was on the move trying to play the delivery to the legside, but failed to connect with the bat. He departed for 12.
Chandimal and Mathews had quite a few nervy moments against Ashwin and chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav but managed to survive the opening session.
The duo started the second session well and Mathews even ventured out of the crease to Ashwin and plonked him for a six to bring up his team's 100. Kuldeep and Ashwin though were bowling well and created chances with close in fielders. Kuldeep got the wicket of Chandimal when the Sri Lankan skipper was cramped for room and jabbed a length delivery on to his pads and the ball looped in to Cheteshwar Pujara at short leg. Chandimal departed for 36.
Two overs later, Mathews went down to sweep Ashwin and failed to connect. Umpire Richard Illingworth raised his finger and Mathews' referral reaffirmed the on-field call. Mathews walked back after scoring 35.
Niroshan Dickwella was happy to sweep around and made most of the ample time he had to bat on en route to 41 off 52 deliveries. But wickets kept falling at the other end with Ashwin removing Dilruwan Perera for 8 and Shami accounted for Lakshan Sandakan (8) for this third wicket. Umesh Yadav finally got to Dickwella when he edged one to the slips. Ashwin wrapped up the match taking the last wicket of Lahiru Kumara.
Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 181 (Chandimal 36; Ashwin 4/68) & 135 (Chandimal 48; Kuldeep 4/40) trail India 487 (Dhawan 119, Pandya 108; Sandakan 5/132) by an innings and 171 runs
Indian bowlers did not take much time to wrap up Sri Lanka's second innings on day three. Starting the day at 19 for 1, Sri Lanka lost three wickets by the time they could add 15 more runs and the writing seemed to be on the wall, until Chandimal and former skipper Mathews put on 65 runs for the fifth wicket, to allow the team to go in to lunch at 82 for 4, still trailing India's first innings score of 487 by 270 runs.
However, after the break, the departures of both well set batsmen spelt doom for the Sri Lankans and they folded for 181.
For Sri Lanka, it was a chance to go down fighting and that fighting spirit was shown well by both Chandimal and Mathews. The fact that they have little to do in terms of impact in the match probably helped them to play without pressure. But in the end, that amounted for nothing.
Mohammad Shami once again set the tone with a probing spell early but it was his opening partner for the day, Ravichandran Ashwin who got the first breakthrough in the form of SL's highest run-getter in the series, Dimuth Karunaratne. Karunaratne was undone by a flatter one that slid on, with the batsman edging to first slip Ajinkya Rahane.
Shami got his due soon after when night watchman Malinda Pushpakumara edged one behind to Wriddhiman Saha. An over later, Shami trapped Kusal Mendis full and wide that came back in. Mendis was on the move trying to play the delivery to the legside, but failed to connect with the bat. He departed for 12.
Chandimal and Mathews had quite a few nervy moments against Ashwin and chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav but managed to survive the opening session.
The duo started the second session well and Mathews even ventured out of the crease to Ashwin and plonked him for a six to bring up his team's 100. Kuldeep and Ashwin though were bowling well and created chances with close in fielders. Kuldeep got the wicket of Chandimal when the Sri Lankan skipper was cramped for room and jabbed a length delivery on to his pads and the ball looped in to Cheteshwar Pujara at short leg. Chandimal departed for 36.
Two overs later, Mathews went down to sweep Ashwin and failed to connect. Umpire Richard Illingworth raised his finger and Mathews' referral reaffirmed the on-field call. Mathews walked back after scoring 35.
Niroshan Dickwella was happy to sweep around and made most of the ample time he had to bat on en route to 41 off 52 deliveries. But wickets kept falling at the other end with Ashwin removing Dilruwan Perera for 8 and Shami accounted for Lakshan Sandakan (8) for this third wicket. Umesh Yadav finally got to Dickwella when he edged one to the slips. Ashwin wrapped up the match taking the last wicket of Lahiru Kumara.
Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 181 (Chandimal 36; Ashwin 4/68) & 135 (Chandimal 48; Kuldeep 4/40) trail India 487 (Dhawan 119, Pandya 108; Sandakan 5/132) by an innings and 171 runs
At a loss to explain Sri Lanka's dismal performance against India, skipper Dinesh Chandimal said the 0-3 thrashing was the "worst" Test series of his career and his team has no excuses to offer.
The hosts were bowled out for 181 in their second innings, after following on post their 135-run first innings' collapse as India won the series 3-0 to complete a comprehensive whitewash.
"This was the toughest series in my career, no doubt," said Chandimal after the third and final Test which Sri Lanka lost by an innings and 171 runs inside three days.
"The reason being that we were not able to take the games to five days. There have been four day Tests and three day Tests. This is the worst series ever. It's pretty tough for the team and me. Credit goes to India," he added.
Chandimal said he takes complete responsibility for the side's abject surrender. But he was hopeful that the team would lift itself in the near future.
"They have played outstandingly well in the series. I am disappointed that if we could have dragged the game to the fifth day we could have learned something, but losing within two and half days you cannot give any excuses," he said.
"As captain, I would like to take the responsibility. The fans have always supported us. They encourage us always. Today we saw despite losing, people applauding us. That is what the team needs now.
"We cannot let the players be mentally down. We are doing the process right. We might not get results soon, but we are confident that the future looks good," he added with hope.
The hosts have suffered repetitive batting failures throughout the series, particularly in their last three out of four innings.
"During training, we are doing a lot of hard work. We had some gameplan and we spoke so many things during the game. As a player when you have to go to the middle you have to put them to practice. That was what the batsmen were unable to do. As players we had to stand up and do our performances well," said Chandimal.
"As an opener you should at least bat for 15 to 20 overs. As I said, we gave some game plan to each and every player. They have to execute them when in the middle. We failed to do that in the series and that cost us dearly I would say," he added, highlighting how the batting failed repeatedly.
Sri Lanka have also been plagued by injuries in this series, which has hampered their ability to put a full- strength side onto the park.
Chandimal, however, put the blame on seniors, including himself, saying that they didn't shoulder much responsibility.
"I would say the main concern is injuries. The Australia series we had everyone fit. No injuries whatsoever. Everyone chipped in. This series, there are so many injuries starting from Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, Rangana Herath and then Asela Gunaratne.
"They played some really good cricket in the last six months. That's the main issue. I don't want to give excuses. We have to perform better than this," he said.
"Consistency has been a huge issue this series. Same players cannot perform well in every series. As seniors, you have to do well. Then the youngsters will follow. I have lot of faith," he added.
Chandimal hoped that things will fall into place for the team during the October tour of Pakistan.
"The seniors, I hope, will come back strongly when we take on Pakistan. It is very disappointing. We could not get into runs. We take the blame. But we tried hard. We worked hard at training. We tried hard. Bad luck was that all senior failed. I hope that everyone will fire in the next series hopefully," he said.
The Lankan skipper thought left-arm leg-spinner Lakshan Sandakan was a bright spark for them, while also praising Hardik Pandya and Mohammed Shami.
"All teams have the luxury of wrist spinners nowadays. He could go for runs, but the chances of him getting a wicket is more," Chandimal said.
"Hardik batted brilliantly when he came out to the middle. The first spell by Shami and Umesh was brilliant. At one point we thought as if we were playing in England. They bowled so well, making the most of the conditions," he added.
The hosts were bowled out for 181 in their second innings, after following on post their 135-run first innings' collapse as India won the series 3-0 to complete a comprehensive whitewash.
"This was the toughest series in my career, no doubt," said Chandimal after the third and final Test which Sri Lanka lost by an innings and 171 runs inside three days.
"The reason being that we were not able to take the games to five days. There have been four day Tests and three day Tests. This is the worst series ever. It's pretty tough for the team and me. Credit goes to India," he added.
Chandimal said he takes complete responsibility for the side's abject surrender. But he was hopeful that the team would lift itself in the near future.
"They have played outstandingly well in the series. I am disappointed that if we could have dragged the game to the fifth day we could have learned something, but losing within two and half days you cannot give any excuses," he said.
"As captain, I would like to take the responsibility. The fans have always supported us. They encourage us always. Today we saw despite losing, people applauding us. That is what the team needs now.
"We cannot let the players be mentally down. We are doing the process right. We might not get results soon, but we are confident that the future looks good," he added with hope.
The hosts have suffered repetitive batting failures throughout the series, particularly in their last three out of four innings.
"During training, we are doing a lot of hard work. We had some gameplan and we spoke so many things during the game. As a player when you have to go to the middle you have to put them to practice. That was what the batsmen were unable to do. As players we had to stand up and do our performances well," said Chandimal.
"As an opener you should at least bat for 15 to 20 overs. As I said, we gave some game plan to each and every player. They have to execute them when in the middle. We failed to do that in the series and that cost us dearly I would say," he added, highlighting how the batting failed repeatedly.
Sri Lanka have also been plagued by injuries in this series, which has hampered their ability to put a full- strength side onto the park.
Chandimal, however, put the blame on seniors, including himself, saying that they didn't shoulder much responsibility.
"I would say the main concern is injuries. The Australia series we had everyone fit. No injuries whatsoever. Everyone chipped in. This series, there are so many injuries starting from Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, Rangana Herath and then Asela Gunaratne.
"They played some really good cricket in the last six months. That's the main issue. I don't want to give excuses. We have to perform better than this," he said.
"Consistency has been a huge issue this series. Same players cannot perform well in every series. As seniors, you have to do well. Then the youngsters will follow. I have lot of faith," he added.
Chandimal hoped that things will fall into place for the team during the October tour of Pakistan.
"The seniors, I hope, will come back strongly when we take on Pakistan. It is very disappointing. We could not get into runs. We take the blame. But we tried hard. We worked hard at training. We tried hard. Bad luck was that all senior failed. I hope that everyone will fire in the next series hopefully," he said.
The Lankan skipper thought left-arm leg-spinner Lakshan Sandakan was a bright spark for them, while also praising Hardik Pandya and Mohammed Shami.
"All teams have the luxury of wrist spinners nowadays. He could go for runs, but the chances of him getting a wicket is more," Chandimal said.
"Hardik batted brilliantly when he came out to the middle. The first spell by Shami and Umesh was brilliant. At one point we thought as if we were playing in England. They bowled so well, making the most of the conditions," he added.
Eight years after it suffered one of the deadliest terror attacks ever on a sports team when their team bus was attacked by terrorists in Lahore on March 3, 2009, the Sri Lankan team is set to tour Pakistan again to play a couple of T20s.
Speaking at a formal dinner after the meeting of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in Colombo on Saturday, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) president Thilanga Sumathipala announced that "Sri Lanka will play at least one of the three T20 games in Lahore in September this year if all logistical and operational plans fall in place."
"World cricket is in the hands of the unity of Asia. We need to respectfully understand each other's problems and stand by each other. This is the spirit of the ACC," the SLC chief said, before adding: "I am keen to take my team to Pakistan. We have had our security expert's visit and make an assessment, and things look positive, with things improving and especially Lahore being cleared (to host an international tie). We have three T20 games coming up against Pakistan in September and we would like to play at least one of those games in Lahore."
Speaking at a formal dinner after the meeting of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in Colombo on Saturday, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) president Thilanga Sumathipala announced that "Sri Lanka will play at least one of the three T20 games in Lahore in September this year if all logistical and operational plans fall in place."
"World cricket is in the hands of the unity of Asia. We need to respectfully understand each other's problems and stand by each other. This is the spirit of the ACC," the SLC chief said, before adding: "I am keen to take my team to Pakistan. We have had our security expert's visit and make an assessment, and things look positive, with things improving and especially Lahore being cleared (to host an international tie). We have three T20 games coming up against Pakistan in September and we would like to play at least one of those games in Lahore."
With legends of days gone by like Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Vivian Richards, Brian Lara, Sir Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh all to call on for inspiration, there should be no shortage of talented young West Indian cricketers stepping into the limelight over the next few years.
With young players in the Caribbean it’s usually less a question of whether they have the talent, and more a question of whether they will fulfil that talent to its maximum potential, and that’s something that the nation’s best cricketing brains are set on changing.
Certainly, over the last decade or so there have been a fair few promising types who have perhaps flattered to deceive, and the very large, loyal and passionate fan base is keen to see improvement in this department from the guys in charge. They are, understandably, as desperate as they’ve ever been to return to those past glories.
With young players in the Caribbean it’s usually less a question of whether they have the talent, and more a question of whether they will fulfil that talent to its maximum potential, and that’s something that the nation’s best cricketing brains are set on changing.
Certainly, over the last decade or so there have been a fair few promising types who have perhaps flattered to deceive, and the very large, loyal and passionate fan base is keen to see improvement in this department from the guys in charge. They are, understandably, as desperate as they’ve ever been to return to those past glories.
Remember when Courtney and Curtly were the most feared fast bowling partnership in the world and Brian Lara was the world’s best batsman by some distance? It wasn’t that long ago you know but, since then, whilst Chris Gayle has proved his world class ability with the bat time and time again, The Windies have too often lacked top class support for their skipper in the batting attack and have certainly been missing a consistently dangerous bowling attack.
Now don’t get us wrong, players like Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Dwayne Bravo were exceptional in their own right, but the point is that, too often, the eleven West Indies players on the field have not contained a world class nucleus that helps and supports each other on the way to success. After all, if your bowling attack is not performing well on the day then you need the batting attack to make up for it by stepping up to the mark and over-exceeding normal expectations. Or perhaps an individual performance will make the difference.
Now don’t get us wrong, players like Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Dwayne Bravo were exceptional in their own right, but the point is that, too often, the eleven West Indies players on the field have not contained a world class nucleus that helps and supports each other on the way to success. After all, if your bowling attack is not performing well on the day then you need the batting attack to make up for it by stepping up to the mark and over-exceeding normal expectations. Or perhaps an individual performance will make the difference.
Carlos Brathwaite knows a thing or two about that after his stunning performance in the final over of last year’s International World T20 final against England, and Chris Gayle has been bailing his side out for years with massive scores with the bat, but clearly the chances of this sort of thing happening are far greater if you have four world class players in your team instead of just two.
In football they regularly talk about the spine of the team that’s so important. A team that has a world class goalkeeper, centre back, central midfielder and goalscorer as the four best players will generally have an excellent balance and therefore an excellent chance of success. It’s the same with cricket. Look back at all the greatest teams and, more often than not, they had at least one world class batsman and one world class bowler as well as a world class all-rounder and an outstanding fielder. Oh, and at least a very good wicket-keeper. You could pretty much insert anyone in the remaining three spots and a team with that sort of make-up would still do okay.
In football they regularly talk about the spine of the team that’s so important. A team that has a world class goalkeeper, centre back, central midfielder and goalscorer as the four best players will generally have an excellent balance and therefore an excellent chance of success. It’s the same with cricket. Look back at all the greatest teams and, more often than not, they had at least one world class batsman and one world class bowler as well as a world class all-rounder and an outstanding fielder. Oh, and at least a very good wicket-keeper. You could pretty much insert anyone in the remaining three spots and a team with that sort of make-up would still do okay.
So, languishing ninth in the ODI world rankings but with no major International tournament until the summer of 2019, can the West Indies get back to being seriously competitive in time for the World Cup? At the time of writing on 27/07/17 their odds are 12/1 with Betway Sports and to win it they’ll need at least a couple of their current younger crop to take big steps forward. The good news is that they have plenty of time on their side to ensure that happens.
So who’s most likely? A quick look at the current players in and around the squad shows that there are only six guys below the age of 26. At just 25 years old, we already know that skipper Jason Holder has a very bright future, but what about the two youngest members of the squad? Shai Hope certainly has the name for the job and at only 23 years old represents one of the big hopes. He was brought into the West Indies Test squad after hitting a double hundred at a minor event back in 2015 and the England-educated Barbadian is an exciting future number 3 – they hope!
According to ICC Rankings, 24 year old Kraigg Brathwaite is the other man to watch. An all-rounder with real potential, he is the first West Indian to hit two Test fifties before his 19th birthday. He’s no relation to 29 year old, Carlos, of the same name, but, along with Shai Hope and Jason Holder, West Indies fans will be hoping they’re all on the same team sheet for many years to come. (Caribbean News Now)
According to ICC Rankings, 24 year old Kraigg Brathwaite is the other man to watch. An all-rounder with real potential, he is the first West Indian to hit two Test fifties before his 19th birthday. He’s no relation to 29 year old, Carlos, of the same name, but, along with Shai Hope and Jason Holder, West Indies fans will be hoping they’re all on the same team sheet for many years to come. (Caribbean News Now)
Points Table as at August 14
TKR - TRINBAGO KNIGHT RIDERS
BT - BARBADOS TRIDENTS
STKNP - ST KITTS AND NEVIS PATRIOTS
JT - JAMAICA TALLAWAHS
GAW - GUYANA AMAZON WARRIORS
STARS - ST LUCIA STARS
15th Match – Thu Aug 17, 6pm, Providence Stadium, Guyana
Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Jamaica Tallawahs
16th Match, Fri Aug 18, 9pm, Warner Park, St Kitts
St Kitts and Nevis Patriots vs Barbados Tridents
17th Match, Sat Aug 19, 12 pm, Providence Stadium, Guyana
Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Trinbago Knight Riders
18th Match, Sat Aug 19, 9pm, Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts
St Kitts and Nevis Patriots vs St Lucia Stars
19th Match, Sun Aug 20, 6pm, Providence Stadium, Guyana
Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Barbados Tridents
20th Match, Mon Aug 21, 6pm, Warner Park, St Kitts
St Kitts and Nevis Patriots vs Jamaica Tallawahs,
21st Match, Tue Aug 22, 6pm, Providence Stadium, Guyana
Guyana Amazon Warriors vs St Lucia Stars
22nd Match, Wed Aug 23, 6pm, Warner Park, St Kitts
St Kitts and Nevis Patriots vs Trinbago Knight Riders
23rd Match, Fri Aug 25, 9pm, Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica
Jamaica Tallawahs vs St Lucia Stars
24th Match, Sat Aug 26, 9pm, Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica
Jamaica Tallawahs vs Trinbago Knight Riders
25th Match, Tue Aug 29, 6pm, Kensington Oval, Barbados
Barbados Tridents vs Guyana Amazon Warriors
26th Match, Wed Aug 30, 7pm, Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica
Jamaica Tallawahs vs St Kitts and Nevis Patriots
27th Match, Thu Aug 31, 7:59pm, Kensington Oval, Barbados
Barbados Tridents vs St Lucia Stars
28th Match, Fri Sep 01, 9pm, Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica
Jamaica Tallawahs vs Guyana Amazon Warriors
29th Match, Sat Sep 02, 9pm, Kensington Oval, Barbados
Barbados Tridents vs Trinbago Knight Riders
30th Match, Sun Sep 03, 6pm, Kensington Oval, Barbados
Barbados Tridents vs St Kitts and Nevis Patriots
Tue Sep 05, 7:59pm, Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad TBC vs TBC, Play off
Wed Sep 06, 7:59pm, Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad
TBC vs TBC, Eliminator 1
Thu Sep 07, 7:59 pm, Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad
TBC vs TBC, Eliminator 2
Sat Sep 09, 9pm, Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad
TBC vs TBC, Final