Here was a reassuring reminder for cricket purists: at the highest level, no matter how short the format, class will usually out. This was certainly the case in a disappointingly one-sided Twenty20 international, which ended with Stuart Broad's England being roundly defeated by Sri Lanka, who barely had to break sweat or, in Sanath Jayasuriya's case, into a trot. England lost by nine wickets with 16 balls to spare. It was a horror show.
The match was decided during an ugly period of play between the 12th over of the first innings and its conclusion, during which England contrived 41 runs for the loss of seven wickets. Thus they ended up with a paltry total of 136. Charlotte Edwards' women's side wereable to defend that target earlier in the day against Australia, Broad's had no chance once Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara set to work.
England, with Broad in charge for the first time, faltered at the start as Michael Lumb and Craig Kieswetter, hopefully reunited, both holed out tamely. However, Kevin Pietersen and Eoin Morgan, England's class acts, soon restored the situation. Together they added 83 in fewer than nine overs with few alarms and five sixes. A proper, competitive total was on the horizon, whereupon the old boys of the Sri Lankan side intervened.
First Lasith Malinga induced Morgan to be caught on the leg-side boundary.Then England were undone by someone who first played international cricket in 1989 against Allan Border and Dean Jones. Jayasuriya will be 42 this week and is supposed to be here only for a grand farewell. Yet his creaking left-arm spinners inevitably accounted for Pietersen, who tried to cut a skidding, straight delivery and was bowled. The MP would also dispatch Ravi Bopara during a miserly three-over spell.
Until then Pietersen had batted fluently and England had advanced steadily. Now they looked a bit of a shambles and in need of a bit more class. It was a surprise that Ian Bell, in such sparkling and impish form, had been omitted from the side. Once again the established pecking order – Bell has rarely been included in recent Twenty20 teams – took precedence over the concrete evidence of the last few weeks.
Samit Patel endured something of a nightmare, except that he had probably wrestled in his sleep with every other calamity bar the one that overtook him. Still, to get off the mark, he punched the ball square of the wicket and wandered a few feet out of his crease. Jayawardene flung the ball back and hit the stumps and the laggardly Patel, turning slowly, had not quite regained his ground. Moving slower still he trudged back to the dug-out with his ignominious duck.
The tail were equally tame. No one could fathom Malinga to such an extent that in the last over of the innings England were reduced to scrambling three byes from three separate balls as flailing batsmen failed to make contact.
The blame for England's predicament – about 30 runs short of par – could hardly be laid at the captain's feet. But neither Broad nor anyone else could threaten Sri Lanka as they set about knocking off the runs. Once again those with a touch of class prevailed. Jayasuriya could not quite defy the years with the bat in his hand. Soon he drove to mid-off to allow Jade Dernbach his first international wicket. But by then Jayawardene was already in full flow.
Chris Woakes, trying to be too elaborate, was taken for 17 runs in his second over. Occasionally Jayawardene backed away to give himself room to hit on the off side. Most of the time graceful orthodoxy was all that was required. Dernbach's wide range of slower balls did not disturb him greatly; these types of delivery are only effective when a batsman is under pressure to score quickly. The Sri Lankans never were.
At the other end loitered Sangakkara nonchalantly dashing the ball through mid-wicket against Graeme Swann. It looked as if he was enjoying being back in the ranks.
Loyally the fans stayed on to admire Jayawardene flicking more boundaries off Woakes, but, by then, any tension or any uncertainty about the outcome had long since disappeared.
As for the debut captain: well, it was a doddle – for Thilina Kandamby of Sri Lanka. He hardly had to put his pads on or his thinking cap.
For Broad it was all a dire disappointment. He now discovered the agony of the post-match interview. We were informed that "we didn't execute our plans; we didn't hit enough boundaries and that Jayawardene and Sangakkara played fantastically well".
All Broad can hope for is that his batsmen do not leave him in the lurch again when his second game in charge comes around on 31 August. It is a long time for him to wait to exorcise a nasty experience, albeit against the likes of Virender Sehwag and Mahendra Dhoni.
The Maestro says Adios! Cricblogger pays tribute to the legend. Visit us at http://cricblogger.wordpress.com/
ReplyDeleteStyle and utility join hands for the home appliances. Clients are demanding more out of the existing products. In fact, they expect their gadgets meet highest level of quality along with great looks. That's what the collections at www.rightgadgets.in/Items.asp?Category=HomeAppliances_India_Online&cid=7 are all about.
ReplyDeleteThe visit was very useful. Visit:giftwithlove dot com/ Japan. (Send gifts and flowers to Japan.)
ReplyDeleteToys like Barbie are the most sought after ones for kids. Childhood is the phase that shapes the mental structure, and when toys accompany that shaping procedure, learning becomes fun to experience. Collections from Barbie fulfill this essential attribute, and one can visit www.righttoys.in/products.asp?item=BARBIE_Toys_India_Online&brand=161 for more exciting offerings.
ReplyDeleteAll the modern day gadgets are experiencing makeovers, and Baby-sitting gadgets like walkers are no exception. Colorful combinations that will attract kids, strong structures, premium finish, funny designs; these are what RightToys.In special Walkers are all about. One can sneak through www.righttoys.in/items.asp?item=Walkers_Toys_India_Online&cid=23&scat=223* for more details.
ReplyDeleteI would love to take Cricket Holidays with my pals.
ReplyDeleteThe visit was useful. Content was really very informative. From www.righttoys.in/items.asp?item=Video%20Games_Toys_India_Online&cid=34
ReplyDeleteThe visit was useful. Content was really very informative. From www.rightgadgets.in/items_subcat.asp?Category=Mobiles_India_Online&cid=1&brand=Nokia
ReplyDeleteToys make a child happy and active. When a toy is there, perhaps a kid will not ask for anything else. One has to remember that a kid has world of imagination to live in, and toys give access to that land of imagination, constructed with joy. That’s what a toy mean to a kid. One can make a trip to www.righttoys.in/products.asp?item=FUNSKOOL_Toys_India_Online&brand=160 for further details.
ReplyDeleteSamsung laptops are cruising along the laptop users. This is the brand that trusts its quality with the widespread offerings in terms of designs, software applications, hardware designs, and a stunning finishing touch. Really it’s the brand that everyone wishes to have. For more details, one can check out www.rightgadgets.in/items_subcat.asp?Category=Laptops_India_Online&cid=3&brand=Samsung and enjoy the service.
ReplyDeleteWhen to connect a kid's world, its toys that give the instant access there. Toys are the best pals for a kid immaterial of age. They play with toys, interacts with the toys with their own language and expression. Not necessarily you are understand them all, the innocent smile that your kid will put on will be answer. Visit www.righttoys.in/items.asp?item=Baby%20Toys_Toys_India_Online&cid=24 for more details.
ReplyDeleteLaptop genre is experiencing a real boom, and clearly Sony is leading that revolutionary movement. This is the brand that has changed the so-called concept of laptop specifications and operations. RightGadgets.In lets you experience this heat, and www.rightgadgets.in/items_subcat.asp?Category=Laptops_India_Online&cid=3&brand=Sony is the link the link to visit
ReplyDeleteDigital cameras are the gadgets that are making photography easier. Without having to undergo any formal training for photography, digital camera can make anyone a master of photograph capturing. It’s just a click, and the picturesque moment is captured forever with all its brightness. It’s a visit to www.rightgadgets.in/items_subcat.asp?Category=Digital%20Camera_India_Online&cid=2&scat=3* that makes the visitor have all the leading brands.
ReplyDeleteGifts are the projectors of your emotions. No matter how far you are from your loved terms, just a simple gift can put the lights on the dejected faces of them, who have been missing your presence on their special day. A gift actually brings your inner self before them. Visit www.hampersnationwide.com/Delivery%20Information.asp for details.
ReplyDeleteThe visit was useful. Content was really very informative. From www.rightgadgets.in/items_subcat.asp?Category=Watches_India_Online&cid=4&brand=Titan
ReplyDeleteThe visit was useful. Content was really very informative. From www.rightgadgets.in/items_subcat.asp?Category=Watches_India_Online&cid=4&brand=Fastrack
ReplyDeleteApple is parallel with outstanding quality. Any offering from Apple is capable enough to make the buyer assured of the utility. Although belonging to a higher price level, but the quality compensates the price. Look inside www.rightgadgets.in/items_subcat.asp?Category=Laptops_India_Online&cid=3&brand=Apple for Apple MacBook series.
ReplyDeleteI like the article. Visit chennaiflowerplaza dot com (send gifts and flowers all over Tamil nadu).
ReplyDeleteMobiles that Intex has launched have its own characteristic featuring. And Intex is the name that keeps the mobile freaks amazed with its outstanding featuring products and models. Models with all the latest facilities and features are what Intex always keeps marinating. A look inside www.rightgadgets.in/it.asp?C=Intex&it=Intex-Mobiles-Phones&ct=1 will give full idea of the Intex offers.
ReplyDeleteThe visit was useful. Content was really very informative. From www.rightgadgets.in/it.asp?C=Fuji&it=Fuji-Camera&ct=2
ReplyDeleteThe visit was useful. Content was really very informative. From www.rightgadgets.in/it.asp?C=Apple&it=Apple-Laptops&ct=3
ReplyDeleteIt’s Panasonic pulse that has kept the camera segment richer day-by-day. It’s the brighter side of life that people wish to experience, and certainly Panasonic stuffs are all ready to do that. Surely a great time at is awaiting the visitor. Visit www.rightgadgets.in/it.asp?C=Panasonic&it=Panasonic-Camera&ct=2 for more details.
ReplyDeleteKarbonn is the brand that aims to offer more and more utility features. Not to be worried about, because this brand has a inverse relation with the number of features and price, more features less price, but not the reverse. That’s the USP for Karbonn mobile segments that www.rightgadgets.in/it.asp?C=Karbonn&it=Karbonn-Mobiles-Phones&ct=1 host.
ReplyDeleteThe visit was useful. Content was really very informative. From www.rightgadgets.in/it.asp?C=Samsung&it=Samsung-Laptops&ct=3
ReplyDeleteWhen its about looking for an all purpose electronic gadget, it has to be mobiles. And Nokia is the name that keeps the mobile freaks amazed with its outstanding featuring products and models. Models with all the latest facilities and features are what Nokia always keeps marinating. A look inside www.rightgadgets.in/it.asp?C=Nokia&it=Nokia-Mobiles-Phones&ct=1 will give full idea of the Nokia offers.
ReplyDeleteIt’s Nikon digital shower that has kept the camera segment richer day-by-day. Featured with the latest technological developments, Nikon has the model offering for all. It’s the brighter side of life that people wish to experience, and certainly Nikon stuffs are all ready to do that. Surely a great time at www.rightgadgets.in/it.asp?C=Nikon&it=Nikon-Camera&ct=2 is awaiting the visitor.
ReplyDeleteSony, the name is enough to communicate not quality assurance, but quality guarantee. Quality and only quality, that’s the mantra this electronic giant believed. This belief is reflected in its offerings, and laptops are the prefect examples of them. Different from the rest in the rest, a winner on its own; its Sony sizzlers that glitter the link at www.rightgadgets.in/it.asp?C=Sony&it=Sony-Laptops&ct=3
ReplyDeleteThe visit was useful. Content was really very informative. From www.rightgadgets.in/it.asp?C=Blackberry&it=Blackberry-Mobiles-Phones&ct=1
ReplyDeleteThe visit was useful. Content was really very informative. From www.rightgadgets.in/it.asp?C=Zen&it=Zen-Mobiles-Phones&ct=1
ReplyDeleteYour precious moments deserved to be perceived more beautiful, when recalled again. Quality digital imaging is what that accelerates this feel, and the stuffs that Fuji has in place are all studded with these all. Something that is worth of appreciation.
ReplyDeleteWebsite is very comprehensive and informative. I have enjoyed the visit. From www.rightgadgets.in/it.asp?C=Sony%20Ericsson&it=Sony%20Ericsson-Mobiles-Phones&ct=1
ReplyDeleteHP is just the brand that no one can afford to give a miss. Reliability and compatibility of the systems, and sustained servicing over time are the flagship features of HP products. After desktops, printers, scanners; the turn came for laptops, and this gadget segment is even a bigger hit. One can check out www.rightgadgets.in/it.asp?C=HP&it=HP-Laptops&ct=3 for more details.
ReplyDeleteThe visit was useful. Content was really very informative. From www.rightgadgets.in/it.asp?C=Spice&it=Spice-Mobiles-Phones&ct=1
ReplyDeleteIt was Kodak that introduced the concept of digital still imaging. Definitely history is behind this champion brand, and for the digital photography, still Kodak is the brand to bank on. With the range of cameras, both for the amateurs as well as professionals, clearly this is the camera offering that values the full worth of the money spent on it. Once can view www.rightgadgets.in/it.asp?C=Kodak&it=Kodak-Camera&ct=2 for further details.
ReplyDeleteIt’s just a piece of flower that can melt all the differences between you and loved pals. Flowers signify the cheerfulness and enjoyment of life, and perhaps that’s why it’s the most valued gift for human beings. With its fragrances, colorfulness, silently it states the message the heart wishes to explore. Stop at www.rightflorist.com/Usa_Florist/Gifts_Flowers_usa.asp
ReplyDeletefor more details.
It’s just a piece of flower that can melt all the differences between you and loved pals. Flowers signify the cheerfulness and enjoyment of life, and perhaps that’s why it’s the most valued gift for human beings. With its fragrances, colorfulness, silently it states the message the heart wishes to explore. Stop at www.rightflorist.com/Malaysia_Florist/Gifts_Flowers_malaysia.asp
ReplyDeletefor more details.
Celebrations and events bring you the opportunity not just to discover the meaning of relations in your life. In fact, it gives you the opportunity to accessorize the relations as well. And the ever charming appeal in its gift stuffs that www.hampersnationwide.com/USA/Christmas%20Gifts.asp keeps delivering for your close acquaintances is just the right move that your celebration deserves.
ReplyDeleteCelebrations need the perfect ambience, and flowers are just too good for that. It’s the cool and classy expression that your celebration is about to get, and the floral celebration way is about to unfold. Just rush to www.rightflorist.com/Italy_Florist/Gifts_Flowers_italy.asp to get them now.
ReplyDeleteYour gifts bring the sudden happiness to your loved ones. Time may pass on, but your gifts will keep making them happy, even when there is no specific reason. That’s the wonder touch gifts do give to life. Visit www.hampersnationwide.com/USA/Send_Gifts_to_USA.asp for more details.
ReplyDeleteFetch a sensational celebration fiesta with the unique floral crafts, premium class beverages and plenty of other rocking gift items from www.rightflorist.com/Germany_Florist/Gifts_Flowers_germany.asp and add style to your event. Celebrations mean something special to cheer for, and here comes the special items for your special moment.
ReplyDeleteIt’s about make your treasured moments live long, even after time has passed on. It’s the digital quality manner of picture captivating that brings the event even livelier. Certainly Olympus did a great deal in this regard. The link at www.rightshopping.in/g/itb.asp?C=Canon%20Camera&b=Canon&cid=2 is what one has to link.
ReplyDeleteAt Gifts-To-India.com you will have a bit tough time. Do not panic, because we have so many collections that you will wonder which one to pick and which one to leave.
ReplyDeleteTablet PCs are really the future of the electronic gadget sectors. It’s the gadget that looks highly sophisticated, and the cool outlook is equally balanced with the fabulous functioning features. One can surely have a go on www.rightshopping.in/g/itb.asp?C=Samsung-Tablet-PC&b=Samsung&cid=17 to know more.
ReplyDeleteA very informative article and lots of really honest and forthright comments made! This certainly got me thinking a lot about this issue so thanks a lot for posting! From www.japanfloristshop.com.
ReplyDelete