Oracle of Delphi
Arnold
Paladin
Shan Jayaweera
KC Hill
Cibbuano
Craig HillAu Revoir
March 1st 2008 05:07
At the M.C.G., four veteran entertainers walked out onto centre stage at the theatre of dreams, and took their final bows. Sri Lanka's Jayasuriya and Muralitharan played their last match on Australian turf, both confirming at match end that this would be their last tour of Australia, while Australia's Gilchrist and Hogg still have at least two encore performances before their swansong has been sung. Each played a pivotal role in the penultimate act before the finals.
ACT ONE
The toss of the coin fell in favour of Jayawardene who elected to bat first. As a mark of respect, the Australian team formed a guard of honour to applaud Jayasuriya as he walked out onto the M.C.G. for the last time. He has under performed during the series, as have most of the Sri Lankan batsmen, and unfortunately his run of outs continued. He did, however, treat his legions of fans when he ripped into Brett Lee, hitting him for consecutive boundaries in one over. It was all over to quickly when one of the world's premier power hitters pushed tentatively to a ball which caught the outside edge and flew to Hussey, fielding at first slip, off the bowling of Bracken.
At 2-32, then 3-42, and 4-61, a familiar pattern was emerging.
ACT TWO
Jayawardene and Dilshan halted Australia's momentum, sharing in a 64 run partnership, finally broken by Hogg when he trapped Jayawardene leg before for 50. Silva joined Dilshan, and the two compiled a 60 run partnership before Dilshan was run out for 62. Sri Lanka managed to scramble their way to a competitive total of 221.
Austrlaia's run chase began at a blistering pace. Gilchrist, at his imperious best, blasted the Sri Lankan bowlers, to the delight of a raptuous crowd. At 0-107, the high voltage start had Sri Lanka reeling, until the Kandyman (Murali) tapped into his own greatness to bowl Hopes. Gilchrist, the beserker, was next man out, brilliantly caught in the outfield when on 83. His superb innings included 11 fours and 2 sixes, and took 50 balls.
With the score on 2-113, things were well in hand, but then the complexion of the game changed. The ball started misbehaving. Clarke, Ponting and Symonds were dismissed in quick succession. Australia had lost 5-8 in the space of 35 balls. Things didn't improve with the dismissals of Haddin and Hussey. The mighty were in freefall, having crashed to 7-142.
ACT THREE
Enter Brad Hogg who, when pressed at the tea break admitted he would love a bat, got his wish. He nudged the ball around, compiling 21 before Muralitharan snared him with his final ball. Australia were 8-158, then 9-173 when Johnson departed. The end was nigh, with only the Allan Border medallist, Brett Lee, and Nathan Bracken standing between Sri Lanka and victory.
Jayawardene turned to Jayasuriya, an unlikely choice, to bowl the 48th over. Australia required 13 runs from 12 balls, with Brett Lee on strike. Jayasuriya needed only one ball to wrap up the innings and seal the victory for Sri Lanka.
All in all, it was a memorable match. The fans could not have asked for more. Those who went to the ground, and those of us who watched it from the comfort of our lounge rooms, had hoped to see something special from these four talented cricketers and that's precisely what we got. The four retirees thoroughly deserved their rousing ovations.
ACT ONE
The toss of the coin fell in favour of Jayawardene who elected to bat first. As a mark of respect, the Australian team formed a guard of honour to applaud Jayasuriya as he walked out onto the M.C.G. for the last time. He has under performed during the series, as have most of the Sri Lankan batsmen, and unfortunately his run of outs continued. He did, however, treat his legions of fans when he ripped into Brett Lee, hitting him for consecutive boundaries in one over. It was all over to quickly when one of the world's premier power hitters pushed tentatively to a ball which caught the outside edge and flew to Hussey, fielding at first slip, off the bowling of Bracken.
At 2-32, then 3-42, and 4-61, a familiar pattern was emerging.
ACT TWO
Jayawardene and Dilshan halted Australia's momentum, sharing in a 64 run partnership, finally broken by Hogg when he trapped Jayawardene leg before for 50. Silva joined Dilshan, and the two compiled a 60 run partnership before Dilshan was run out for 62. Sri Lanka managed to scramble their way to a competitive total of 221.
Austrlaia's run chase began at a blistering pace. Gilchrist, at his imperious best, blasted the Sri Lankan bowlers, to the delight of a raptuous crowd. At 0-107, the high voltage start had Sri Lanka reeling, until the Kandyman (Murali) tapped into his own greatness to bowl Hopes. Gilchrist, the beserker, was next man out, brilliantly caught in the outfield when on 83. His superb innings included 11 fours and 2 sixes, and took 50 balls.
With the score on 2-113, things were well in hand, but then the complexion of the game changed. The ball started misbehaving. Clarke, Ponting and Symonds were dismissed in quick succession. Australia had lost 5-8 in the space of 35 balls. Things didn't improve with the dismissals of Haddin and Hussey. The mighty were in freefall, having crashed to 7-142.
ACT THREE
Enter Brad Hogg who, when pressed at the tea break admitted he would love a bat, got his wish. He nudged the ball around, compiling 21 before Muralitharan snared him with his final ball. Australia were 8-158, then 9-173 when Johnson departed. The end was nigh, with only the Allan Border medallist, Brett Lee, and Nathan Bracken standing between Sri Lanka and victory.
Jayawardene turned to Jayasuriya, an unlikely choice, to bowl the 48th over. Australia required 13 runs from 12 balls, with Brett Lee on strike. Jayasuriya needed only one ball to wrap up the innings and seal the victory for Sri Lanka.
All in all, it was a memorable match. The fans could not have asked for more. Those who went to the ground, and those of us who watched it from the comfort of our lounge rooms, had hoped to see something special from these four talented cricketers and that's precisely what we got. The four retirees thoroughly deserved their rousing ovations.
| 115 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
Content on this site is written and mediated by Craig Hill
Go to Craig Hill's home page for information about corporate training courses, university preparation courses and writing services available
Go to Craig Hill's home page for information about corporate training courses, university preparation courses and writing services available
