The Sri Lankans did just that and in convincing fashion with a day and a session to spare. We also instilled on the Lankans in that article that a match is not won or lost till the final wicket is captured. And what determination there was in the cricketers until they pocketed the final scalp!
Obviously like most losing sides do, the visitors will once again cry foul where the wicket is concerned. We are sure they would not like to be told that the wicket was the same for both teams.
The SSC wicket in the past was known to be fair to the batsmen as well as the bowlers. But in this instance it did favour the bowlers more and the Lankans had the better bowlers in Muttiah Muralitheran, Niroshan Bandarathilake, Aravinda de Silva and Kumara Dharmasena to exploit it.
Offie Muralitheran once again proved his prowess with the ball. This off spinning magician was nearly lynched in Australia a few seasons ago when their umpires attempted to 'call' him off the game.
But what was done to clear him is history now and he is now marching merrily breaching the defences of all opposing batsmen with his vicious spin. He produces magic with the ball and is his best fielder. The return catch he took to dismiss Horne is proof if proof is required. It was no surprise then that the man of the series award went to him.
A little anecdote about Muralitheran should prove how he is rated in Sri Lankan cricket.
It is said that in one of the phone in programmes held on radio, a question was posed to a listener as to what should be done to end the separatist war that is prevailing. The listener had replied: 'If the war is to be ended then all Tamils must be packed off. But Muralitheran must be spared otherwise Sri Lanka cannot win matches'.
Muralitheran has over the years proved a wonderful team man. He gives of his best in all aspects and he is a player any captain will yearn to have. When his team was not too well placed in the second innings he walked in to partner Romesh Kaluwitharane in a record stand that broke the spirit of the opponents.
After the teams had flopped in batting in the first innings the Lankans were in the deep end in the second floundering at 36 for 4. The first innings debacles were prompted by not only the early spin in the wicket but by also the overcast conditions that prevailed on the first two days.
When Sri Lanka went out for 206 and then bundled out the Kiwis for 193, they had gained that all important psychological advantage of knowing they were in front. But when they were stuttering at 36 for 4 a lead of only 49 runs and with left arm spinner Daniel Vettori threatening to run through, the Kiwis were flying again. It was then that Captain Cool Arjuna Ranatunga walked in to the crease seemingly not overawed by the situation and exuding confidence.
Ranatunga had a good look at the bowling. The situation was ideally made for him. He has always been a fighter and fights the good fight for his men when everyone is trying to put the blame on him.
In Tillekeratne he found the ideal partner to build and operate. By example he showed the batsmen following how to counter the wiles of Vettori, Wiseman, Priest and the seam of Cairns. Even Priest who was included to bless the Kiwis failed to exorcize the indomitable batting spirit in him.
He went after a truly captain's knock and the remaining batsmen Tillekeratne, Dharmasena, Kaluwitharane and Muralitheran carried on the good work and in taking Sri Lanka to 282 which at one stage looked a gargantuan task put victory beyond the Kiwis.
Kaluwitharane was once again in the thick of it. He batted like a champion to scatter the opponents bowlers with some audacious strokeplay and then his crafty work behind the sticks was inspiring and marvellous. What a wicket keeper batsman he has turned out to be.
The Kiwis who were expected to at least go down fighting went to the middle like lambs to the slaughter. They were like cats on hot tin roofs jumping and diving to their demise, against the vicious and well directed spin by the twins Muralitheran and Bandarathilake. Muralitheran had 5 for 30 and Bandarathilake 4 for 52.
Led admirably and by example by Ranatunga the Lankans have created history by coming from behind on the second occasion to win a series and by that they have answered their critics in telling fashion.