The fate of the third Test between Australia and Sri Lanka in Colombo can be viewed as a virtual bowl-off between two left-armers.
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The unexpected series win undoubtedly rates among Sri Lanka’s finest cricketing hours, while it represents a harrowing low for the Aussies, who surrendered the world No.1 Test ranking to India.
Warner, who had batted well for his 68 with six fours and a six, was Pereras second big strike. He faced 74 balls and hit 10 boundaries to increase the scoring rate.
As regards Sri Lanka, it has been a magnificent effort by Angelo Mathews’ side.
Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc changed his bowling boots in between overs and several lengthy team discussions were held on the pitch, prompting Mathews to call his batsmen back in the pavilion.
While Dhananjaya de Silva and Dinesh Chandimal rescued Sri Lanka from a dire situation in the first innings, it was Kaushal Silva’s battling hundred despite suffering an injury that took the game beyond the Australians in the second innings.
Herath, 38, recorded figures of six for 81 and seven for 64 in the Colombo Test, which has helped him to move three places up to fifth in the latest rankings which were released on Thursday morning.
Sri Lanka will resume on day four at 1-22 in their second innings, trailling by just two runs as they aim to seal a 3-0 humiliation of the No.1-ranked Test team. “It’s been a tough series, outplayed in all three matches”.
“This team deserves that (going to number one) for six years of no cricket at home, sometimes people think it’s easy – the UAE suits us, we win – but just getting every day away from the country, without family and friends and all games out of Pakistan, it’s really hard”, Misbah told reporters at The Oval on Sunday after Pakistan won with more than a day to spare.
It was his seventh 10-wicket haul in a Test. Herath was named man of the match and man of the series for his tally of 28 wickets. They returned to attack with spin from both ends but Warner played with characteristic aggression, underlined when he sent a de Silva full toss into the stands for a massive six.
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“Well, there’s always people who are going to say something like that, but I don’t think it’s contrary to the spirit of cricket”, he said.
