Sri Lanka completes formalities

By S. Dinakar

GALLE, AUG. 17. The winning blow, a rasping Sanath Jayasuriya square-cut that struck the boundary board in a flash, was a fitting reflection of Sri Lanka's domination in the Test.

Predictably, the home team romped home in the first Test at the Galle ground, here, on Friday by 10 wickets. The island nation's first Test victory over India in 16 years.

It was all over 51 minutes before lunch on the fourth day, with the Lankan openers making the six runs needed for victory after India, thanks to a spirited ninth-wicket 60-run partnership between Rahul Dravid (61 not out, 173b, 7x4) and Venkatesh Prasad (20) crossed the deficit of 175.

A shocking batting failure had enabled Zimbabwe level the Test series in Harare a couple of months ago, and it was no different this time too.

And, on a green wicket, the pacemen did not cover themselves with glory either on the second day when Jayasuriya `cut' loose. After two setbacks in two Tests, the side has serious soul searching to do before the Kandy Test gets underway on August 22.

The tough-as-nails Dravid reached a battling half century, with a defiant pull off Muralitharan. The only specialist batsman who could cope with the pressure when the Lankans swooped in for the kill.

At the other end, Prasad, on whose batting ability Dravid displayed a lot of faith, appeared comfortable too, something that showed the earlier batsmen in poor light. This also revealed the pitch hadn't deteriorated to warrant the Indian collapse on Thursday.

And when Dravid cover-drove Muralitharan to the fence, it meant India had escaped the ignominy of an innings defeat. A small comfort in a sea of disappointment.

Soon Muralitharan claimed his fifth wicket of the innings, winning a leg-before decision against Prasad with a sharp off- break. The ball appeared to strike the tall batsman a touch high though.

Srinath, who was struck on the left glove by a nasty Dilhara Fernando delivery in the first innings, and had a plaster wrapped around the injured area while he bowled, did not come out to bat today.

The medical reports here have been inconclusive about a fracture, and a decision about his continuation on this tour will be taken only after another X-ray is taken in Colombo on Saturday.

Muralitharan has no such worries. He cast a deadly spell over the Indians for most part, with his flight, guile, deception and the subtle variations he has developed over the years.

Yet, the Indians had allowed the ace offie to dominate them, settle into a nice rhythm, by not taking the Lankan on. ``A lot of young guys were playing Murali for the first time in a Test. He's a great bowler and it's not easy,'' said Ganguly at a post match media conference.

Another point of debate is about a possible shuffle in the batting order. Should Dravid bat at No. 3, and does the skipper have to move up a slot to No. 4. ``That's a point for thought, but shifting the batting order alone is not going to make a difference,'' the Indian skipper noted.

He admitted that he was working hard, trying everything possible to get over his poor Test form, but denied that was affecting his captaincy. ``The simple thing is I will have to make some runs. But if I start mixing up two things, I am asking for trouble.''

Coach John Wright said, ``The batsmen getting a start have to go on. We didn't make enough runs in the middle-order. The two late dismissals on the first day might have been the turning point. We bowled very poorly on the second day, you can't give width to the the best square-cutter in the world (Jayasuriya). It's going to be a hard side to beat. We just have to pick ourselves up. It's still a great challenge.''

The coach was of the opinion that the youngsters would have to ``play their natural game and back themselves. They should not be intimidated by the big names. We have been in this situation before.''

The match also marked Sri Lanka's fourth victory in six matches at Galle. The Lankans have scored innings wins over England, New Zealand, and South Africa at this lovely venue, and this time around, the margin was a thumping ten wickets.

``When you win by ten wickets, things are obviously going your way,'' said Sri Lankan coach Dav Whatmore. He opined the dry, grassy pitch helped both the pacemen and the spinners. ``The grass on the surface helped the pacemen, while the dryness suited the spinners,'' said Whatmore.

He also pointed out that the side was going through a process of rebuilding, with quite a few youngsters receiving a look-in. The idea was to perform well, both, home and abroad, he added.

Whatmore had a word of praise for promising fast bowler Dilhara Fernando and versatile wicketkeeper batsman Kumara Sangakkara. He agreed that it might be tough for Sangakkara to both keep wickets and bat at No. 3, but observed, Alec Stewart was doing the same for England. ``He is willing to take up the challenge,'' said the coach on his young player.

For Jayasuriya, the Test marked a personal triumph as well, the explosive southpaw being adjudged the Man of the Match for his blazing century that snatched the game away from India. ``I am extremely happy with the performance. Dilhara bowled particularly well. We have a good crop of young fast bowlers. Sangakkara played a brilliant innings, coming back from a rough patch. We really need him. We should go on to win the series.''

Here's a skipper who leads from the front. And it was apt that he was around at the end of it all to deliver his final `square- cut.' It was a stinging blow to the Indian morale as well.

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