Two venues, eerily matching results, and the coining of a new phrase, courtesy of cricinfo.com. Aussie Thumb: a condition brought on by constant changes of channel from Melbourne to Galle and back again. To Galle first, since there is less to be said of it. Kuhnemann and Lyon swept away the tail in short order, the home side barely giving a yelp this morning. First Kusal went for an optimistic swipe from Kuhnemann and holed out to Murphy at mid-wicket three-quarter. Chandimal at least had the excuse that Lyon trapped him in front with one of his specials from round the wicket. No air to speak of: just a fiercely spun off-break which roared back into his pads.
He and Kuhnemann appear to spin the ball harder than the local purveyors. Perhaps this is because Australian spinners know they will be massacred on our harder tracks unless they give the ball a ferocious tweak. The last four batted as though they wished they were somewhere else, like Colombo, or Kandy. They have little pretension to batting ability, and failed to live up even to that modest billing. To see them surrounded by a ring of anything up to nine fielders was like watching a village side playing against a World XI. Kuhnemann took five; Lyon three; and Starc did not have to exert himself in the fierce heat. But he would take figures of 8/1/13/2 any day of the week.
Refreshed after his restrained morning, he celebrated Smith’s decision to enforce the follow-on by crashing one of his trademarked specials into Fernando’s pads. The man looked so surprised that he wasted a review on it. Starc’s grin might as well have said Welcome to my world. Chandimal’s mien as he went out to bat again resembled the frown of an undertaker whose patient has risen from the slab and demanded a refund. Then Murphy, who had barely bowled and was not needed with the bat, was sportingly given the new ball. Karunaratne then so far forgot himself as to leave Murphy’s arm-ball which fizzed into his stumps.
Chandimal and Mathews made a stand of seventy-odd without too many alarums, although at one point a nick behind was expertly kicked up by Carey’s foot to Webster at second slip, who took a diving catch. It looked out, but on review it was found Carey had kicked it up on the half-volley. So no wicket, but 9/10 for choreography. We wonder if this was a practised set-play. Then Lyon removed both; Kamindu Mendis played a T20 innings of 32 off 26 before falling to Kuhnemann; and the last pair of any note: de Silva and Kusal Mendis then made a fine stand of 65 before falling to Kuhnemann and Lyon.
It is easy to be critical of Test batsmen who get out in the thirties and forties. But really: against high-class spinners on an untrustworthy deck, you cannot simply stay put and wait for the unplayable ball. You must assert yourself, and both did; although Kusal deserves blame for charging down to Lyon’s arm-ball and finding himself up the creek without a paddle. At 7/187 the end appeared imminent. But Jeffrey Vandersay had other ideas, and managed to top-score with a belligerent 53, including a pair of sixes. At the very least he has earned a promotion to No.8.
Nevertheless it was a crushing defeat at their favourite venue, and all hearts in Noble Island will be downcast at this dreadful performance. Were they so very bad, or was Australia merely surpassingly good? The margin of victory (an innings and 242 runs) would suggest possibly both. Kuhnemann and Lyon shared the spoils with four wickets each; but Murphy was severely mauled, unable to settle on a consistent line and length. He is young and will learn. Starc enjoyed himself with a pleasant day out (5/1/14/1) and will be looking forward to next weekend. And Sri Lanka will be praying that they win the toss and give themselves a chance.