Sri Lanka’s morning session started in a shoddy manner. The
Australian new ball bowlers made short work of the Lankan top order and at 86
for 4, their innings was going nowhere. Someone has to step up and make
everyone realize that the Pallekele track is not suitable for stroke-making,
but favorable for those who wish to occupy the crease and rotate the strike
more rather than prioritizing boundary-based batting.
Kusal Mendis raised to the occasion to arrest an ugly
collapse and by tea, Sri Lanka were in a commendable position. He motored the
innings well and dished out some eye-catching strokes through the offside and
his strokes through the onside was unconventional. They were not orthodox pull
shots, but exhibited with almost a horizontal bat . The timing is very important
while executing such shots and how beautifully he timed those shots remain a
matter of study for those who loves the technical aspects of the game.
Even, at one moment, Steve Smith set an innovative field –
put four catches on the onside - one at square leg, two at mid wicket and one
at mid on to dent Mendis’ such unconventional pull shot, but still Mendis could
find the gap to exhibit those. The way he played it intelligently, helped Sri
Lanka a lot and gave enough joy to the cricket fans.
All of a sudden, this Test match has come alive.
How beautiful Test cricket is!
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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