Michael Roberts
Let the cricketing world rejoice in Bangladesh’s triumph in a tight Test Match at the P Sara Stadium aka “The Oval” in Colombo. One can allude to Sri Lankan hands within the resurgent Bangladesh cricketing squad in the tracksuits of Coach Chandika Hathurasinghe and Batting Coach Thilan Samaraweera and trainer Mario Villavarayan. But that would be unfair on the Bangla players because matches are won on the field through application, grit, acumen and performance.
Shakib al Hasan
Bangla’s win was an all-round effort involving exceptional efforts from seniors Shakib al Hasan, captain Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal. Soumya Sarkar and Sabim Hassan as well as newcomers Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Mosadeq Hossein and Mustafizur Rahaman.
Its weighty significance is revealed when recalling Australia’s slump to three defeats in three Test Matches in Sri Lanka about eight months back, two of which I was privileged to see – with one in my home town at Galle ending with a resounding Sri Lankan victory in two-and-3/4 days.
Bangladesh now have several allrounders and bat down to No. 9 while Mushfiqur Rahim provides both backbone and sensibility as leader. Sri Lanka was let down by (A) missed catches from their seniors (Tharanga, Chandimal) in the first innings where the lead built up by Bangla proved crucial.; and (BB) their middle order batting inclusive of the failure of new hero Asela Gunaratne. In contrast the tail led by Lakmal and Herath showed grit, while Dilruwan Perera was an asset as doughty batsman as well as useful spin-bowler.
The overall outcome was a riveting match –even toa follower on ESPN word-commentary. Ergo, CRICKET WAS THE WINNER.cricket is the winner. So, savour the moment.
Coach Chandika Hathurasinghe
Bangla Joy on an earlier occasion
PS:The next big event in sporting history is when Afghanistan beat Pakistan or England or New Zealand in a Test Match
ADDENDUM. A NOTE from S. Skandakumar presently of Canberra
There is no doubt whatsoever Michael that Chandika was indeed the turning point in the history of their cricket. Just take a look at what happened after he took over as head coach, following an inexplicable rejection by SLC around 2011. He first came to NSW and was quickly recognised for his ability and was moving to be their head coach with hints of a look into the Australian camp, when Bangladesh approached him and he never looked back. SS
ROBERTS: I did not mean to imply that Hathuru did not play a significant role but yes that reading could be placed on my note. Chandika played some cricket in Adelaide and i met him at Sujeeva Kamalasuriya’s place. Later I had long chats with him in Sri Lanka — at his flat in Nugegoda and then at the SSC car park –where his assessments of the Sri Lankan players impressed me greatly. He is a thinker and is well-organised, for that matter i believe Thilan Samaraweera also has that character. So the influence o fthat pairing has definitely enabled Bangladesh to scale the heights. That said, the players had to buckle down in the field …. and many did. So the victory was the product of many hands. Seeandrew Fidel Fernando’s summary as well: http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-bangladesh-2016-17/content/story/1087660.html
