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