Galle …. Eating Humble Pie

Thoughts from the Inimitable ERROL FERNANDO in Melbourne

Thank you, Michael,for your information about the fantastic Test match played in your beloved home town Galle.I was overjoyed to be wrong  –  very wrong  – to doubt that Sri Lanka would score 268 in the fourth innings and win the match. And I was also guilty of insulting Karunaratne and Thirimanne by being surprised at their awe-inspiring opening partnership of 161 which  set up the victory.It was one of the great achievements in Sri Lankan cricket.

I watched most of that partnership with one eye on the cricket and one eye on my grandchildren while doing some baby-sitting. While Karunaratne was obviously the star of the show, my hero was Thirimanne for his patient and disciplined support to his captain. I have no doubt that Karunaratne would have been the first to acknowledge his debt to Thirimanne. I also think that Tuffy would have first shaken hands with Thirimanne before he got to Karunaratne!!

It was indeed a team effort with superb bowling by Lakmal,Dananjaya and Embuldeniya and wonderful batting by Karunaratne, Thirimanne, Mendis, Mathews, Dickwella and even Lakmal.

Dismissing the great  Kane Williamson,my favourite cricketer, for 4 runs in 2 innings was sensational. Not many teams have done that !

I hope that the Sri Lankans will continue their good form in the next Test.

All the best, Michael,

PS: I am also looking forward to watching Archer at Headingley. He has taken the cricket world by storm!!

****  ******

ALSO NOTE

http://www.ft.lk/sports/Karunaratne-ton-leads-SL-to-winning-start-in-Test-Championship/23-684148

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