The Sri Lankan Abyss: Australia’s Crushing Defeat

Everything that seemed to unravel in a side that had enjoyed top ranking status before coming to Sri Lanka did on this most abysmal of tours. But any cricket commentary directed against Australia’s performances should also account for what was a memorably striking and rich home effort.

Nothing better illustrated the devastation and aftermath of the Australian effort than the aftermath of the second test loss in Galle. Steve Smith’s side had suffered obliteration. For too long, and too late, the Australian side had refused to tackle its weakness against the turning ball.

Then there has been that most effective of deliveries: the ball that does not spin. As Smith said weakly, “We haven’t been good enough with it and we have to find ways to cover that ball that doesn’t spin.” The side had to anticipate the bowling antics of Rangana Herath, notably “that ball that is going to skid on.”

The casualty list did not abate after the comment. Usman Khawaja was picture perfect in misreading a ball he thought would sizzle away from him. Off-spinner Diluran Perera knew better, treating his counterpart with the straight on delivery. The feat was repeated later that day.

As Geoff Lemon noted, such acts were mirrored by the Australian captain, this time playing as a right-hander to a left-handed finger spinner, Rangana Herath. Smith studiously anticipated a turning delivery. Another costly misreading and inevitable dismissal to the curse of the straight delivery.

Kaushal Silva proved gritty in final test in Colombo and effectively ended any chance of an Australian revival. A century following meagre returns – 18 runs from five previous innings – never figured in the calculations. Then, the catastrophe was repeated in the run chase, with Australia falling for 160 after making it to 100 for the loss of one wicket. Then, the riot ensued, with the familiar torments inflicted by Herath.

To add more fire to already testy fuel were the comments of the local curator in Colombo, Michael de Zoysa, far from shy in coming forwards in terming the Australians “poor losers” and “whingers”. Bubbling beneath was a cauldron of testiness on a tour the Australians have struggled with.

The customary custodians of resentment in this regard have been administrators and curators. Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc were two players who were less than keen to battle wearing holes on their run up. De Zoysa, in turn, was convinced that the Australian visitors had busied themselves making holes in the adjoining wickets. Inspection of the pitch on day four suggested no such enterprising digging.

Much like visiting members of an imperial outfit convinced of victory in advance, the Australian team and its management have conducted themselves less with aplomb than irritable demand. “They,” shot de Zoysa, “have complained about the pitch preparation, the state of the pitch, the pitches prepared for practice and on which side of the ground they should conduct their warm-up sessions.”

As well as they might have behaved as emperors. Australian sides are spared nothing, but even money can only talk a certain language. Performances cannot be entirely bought, the reason why Australia Cricket Chief James Sutherland is seeking reasons for the failure in Sri Lanka.

The respective boards have also had sniping encounters. Sri Lankan Cricket expressed its dismay by way of a complaint with Cricket Australia during the First Test after finding out that the great Muttiah Muralidaran had joined the Australian squad for a short stint as assistant prior to the series. Anyone with a sense of humour would have appreciated that such efforts have not prospered. (Murali as Trojan horse? If only the plot were that thick.)

For all the seemingly impenetrable gloom, the Australian side could still sport herculean efforts. Starc, ever the glutton of plunder, surpassed Richard Hadlee’s haul of 23 wickets during the New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka in 1984. His performance demonstrated that pace could still strive on the magical turning pitch.

A final sense of elation should be felt for the home side. Having only beaten Australia once in 33 years, this was a true downpour, and a refreshing one for world cricket. For the visitors, it concludes a disastrous cricketing stretch in Asia that commenced with India’s 4-0 home triumph in 2013, followed by Pakistan in the UAE in 2014.

Dr. Binoy Kampmark was a Commonwealth Scholar at Selwyn College, Cambridge. He lectures at RMIT University, Melbourne. Email: bkampmark@gmail.com

© Scoop Media