When the coin went up on the opening day, history was very much against Sri Lanka despite being the home team. Their Test record against Australia read – one win and seventeen losses from 26 matches.
The initial phase of the first Test at Pallekele International Stadium seemed to reiterate the same. Having been bowled out for 117 in the first innings, they were staring down the barrel.
But, the exuberant Kusal Mendis single-handedly pulled his team from the wrenches with a stunning counter attack in the second essay and gave his bowlers a substantial target to defend on the final day.
The experienced Rangana Herath stamped his authority by preying on Australia’s frailties against the turning ball to help the hosts to a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series. Let us take a look at five important takeaways from Sri Lanka’s 106-run victory.
#5 The legacy of mystery spin continues
What is it with Sri Lankan cricket and mystery spin? Right from the days of Somachandra De Silva to the recent travails of Ajantha Mendis, their slow bowlers possess something unique. In between those guys, a bloke called Muttiah Muralitharan just happened to end up with 800 Test wickets as well.
The latest addition to the list is Lakshan Sandakan, a chinaman bowler from Ragama. With an action that left batsmen engulfed in uneasiness, the 25-year-old sparkled brightly and confounded the Aussies.
In what turned out to be extremely useful in the bigger scheme of things, Sandakan razed through the lower-order before they could add vital runs at the end of the first innings. Even though Rangana Herath accounted for the specialists, he planted serious doubts in the batsmen’s minds from the other end.
Seven wickets at the cost of just 107 runs from almost 47 overs indicated that he could be used in different stages of the match.
#4 Nathan Lyon’s costly second-innings affair
While most spinners prefer bowling on the last few days of a Test match owing to the rough created by their quicker team-mates, Nathan Lyon surprisingly has a better record in the first-innings than in the second.
Having taken 118 of his 200 wickets in the first innings, his average also reflects that trend. The Sri Lankan batsmen utilized it to their advantage by milking the off-spinner quite comfortably.
Admittedly, left-armer Steven O’Keefe’s injury did not help matters. But with Lyon being the leading spinner in his side, skipper Steve Smith would have been extremely disappointed with his figures of 27-2-108-2.
In contrast, the 28-year-old had picked up three wickets during the opening day from only three overs.
#3 Rangana Herath never ceases to amaze
When he arrived in the international stage, not many could have predicted that Rangana Herath would go on to have such an impact on his country’s fortunes. After growing out of Muralitharan’s shadow, the left-arm spinner has been at the forefront of majority of Sri Lanka’s triumphs with his remarkable persistence.
Not the one to rely on extravagant turn, the 38-year-old backs his strengths which are consistency and subtle changes in length. He was in his elements yet again when the hosts needed him badly.
Among his nine victims in the game were Steve Smith whom he outwitted twice and David Warner, two of Australia’s key batsmen. In particular, the delivery to coerce Smith to a rare brain fade was simply brilliant.
The Lankans may have coped reasonably to the exodus of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. But, Herath’s retirement might prove to be even more difficult to handle.
#2 Are the batsmen responsible for Australia’s dire record in Asia?
Accustomed to trampling visiting teams on some of the most flattest pitches in the world at the moment, Australia seem to have no answer on how to deal with the spin-friendly surfaces in Asia.
Including this match, they have lost 11 of their last 16 Tests in Asia with only a solitary win. The fact that the number one ranking currently belongs to them only goes on to expose the prevailing trend of all sides faltering badly outside of their comfort zones.
While the bowling department has shown signs of adapting to the low and slow conditions in the sub-continent, Australia’s batting lineup does not appear to adhere to the demands of patience and endurance in such circumstances.
The prime example is opener David Warner who takes apart bowling attacks in his home turf but looks out of depth when confronted with either spin or swing. Following a duck in the first innings, he could only manage one run in the second and perished to a high-risk shot.
#1 In the footsteps of Mahela and Sanga
A lot was said in the lead-up to the match about Sri Lanka’s unenviable plight of having to withstand a grueling transition period. Massive question marks were raised on some of their younger guys.
However, 21-year-old Kusal Mendis showed the way with a stirring fightback in the second innings when Australia had their foot on Sri Lanka’s throat. Unaffected by the regular fall of wickets around him, the right-hander played without any inhibition.
Employing the sweep stroke to good effect, he thwarted the Aussie spinners by scoring at a healthy clip. Armed with a coherent technique against the pacers, Mendis was the difference between the two sides.
His blistering knock earned him the Man of the Match award as well as high praise from his coach and captain. Indeed, there is life after Mahela and Sanga.
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