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Batting debacle by the Lankans

The Sri Lankan batsmen played some village green strokes and conceded the third one-day international to New Zealand by 69 runs and thus allowed the Kiwis to square the series here today.

After excelling on the field to dismiss the New Zealanders for 201 in 49.2 overs the Sri Lankans crumbled like a pack of cards to fold up for 132 in 37.2 overs.

There was no excuse for the Lankan batting collapse. True they lost the dashing Sanath Jayasuriya for no score with the total on 10. But that dismissal need not have prompted the other batsmen to play rash shots and throw away their wickets.

Had the batsmen who followed, put their heads down and batted according to the dictates of the game this calamity would not have been. There was no terror on the wicket or was the Kiwi bowling unplayable. What caused the batting debacle was the refusal of the batsmen to get behind the ball and offer straight bats. CONFIDENT

The Sri Lankans went into this game full of confidence after having beaten the Kiwis convincingly under lights in Christchurch. They won the toss and as usual Ranatunga asked the Kiwis in, as he was confident his side could chase and win.

With the sun on their backs the bowlers and fielders dismissed the Kiwis for an able score. But the batsmen undid the good work by playing some rash strokes.

During the Sri Lankan innings and when Aravinda de Silva was at the striker's end there was some controversy. Aravinda advanced down the wicket to hit Larsen who picked up the ball and tried to throw down the batsman's wicket.

Larsen threw and Aravinda who backtracked saw the throw coming at his feet and put his bat down to protect him from beng hit. The fielders appealed for obstruction and umpire Ewan Watkin raised his finger. REVERSED DECISION

Skipper Ranatunga who was the non-striker, told the umpire that the batsman was only protecting himself and Watkin who conferred with leg umpire Steve Dunne reversed his decision.

As I saw it there was no willful obstruction. The Sri Lankans have taken enough controversial decisions on this tour and Ranatunga did right in telling umpire Watkin that he was wrong.

At the end of the game, Aravinda de Silva was reprimaned by match referee. Peter Burge for showing dissent.

The Lankans who conceded the Test series 2-nil cannot be satisfied with their performance in squaring the one-day series. They would have had somethiing to show had they won the one-day series. But then that is cricket.

The Sri Lankan paceman Chaminda Vaas who did not have a good game in Christchurch hit back to take 4 for 26 in 9.2 overs. This was probably his best effort on tour. He was ably supported by the baby of the team Nuwan Soysa who is improving with each outing. Soysa had figures of 2 for 47 and Muralitharan had 2 for 32.

The batsman who helped New Zealand make a recovery of sorts was the big hitting Chris Cairns who made 56 in 79 deliveries with 7 fours. Parore and Larsen too batted well to make 39 and 25 respectively.

When Sri Lanka batted, the top scorer was Aravinda de Silva with 30 with 'Mr. Extras' being the second best.

Chris Cairns was named man of the match and the International Cricketer of the Year award went to Alec Stewart the England vice captain for his consistency.

Heath Davis had a good bowl for New Zealand and finished with figures of 4 for 36.