Blogs Two Different Series, Two Different Continents, Same Outcome!!
November 18th, 2007 by prashantWell, to be completely accurate, the second Test between Sri Lanka and Australia is not over yet, but barring an absolutely miracle, SL is going to lose that one big time as well. The first Test was a total destruction also. That is the story in the Australian Continent.
In Africa on the other hand, South Africa has already handed the second consecutive Innings defeat to their visitors from the Australian Continent (NZ).
Surprised with the one-sidedness of both these series? I am sure a lot of people were expecting a closely fought Aus-SL and definitely did not expect SA to dominate NZ to this extent. Especially the way first SA vs NZ Test started. It did look as if SA would be in trouble (being bowled out for low 200s.) But those were the only good sessions NZ had in either of the two tests.
Sri Lanka’s story is slightly different. I don’t think they even had one session when they showed any sign of domination. There were a few fighting knocks but it was always just a matter of time. The debutant Jaques scored centuries in both the tests to justify his selection and Bret Lee spear-headed the bowling attack with ample support from other seamers as well as Stuart McGill. So finally the Aussies have succeeded in spoiling Murali’s dream of becoming the highest wicket taker in Tests by overtaking Warne in Australia.
As I write this, Australia has already captured the first SL wicket in the second Innings. So, it is just a matter of time before the second test would end with another Australian victory.
So though these series are played in different Continents, they have both gone in favor of the home teams in a big way.
November 19th, 2007 at 9:29 am
I guess a miracle might be in the making @Hobart
It’s definitely a cliche, but the first session on the 5th day would tell us how things would progress then on.
SL needs 260 more runs to win and Aus needs 7 more wickets to finish off the Lankans. Then of course there is that draw.
November 19th, 2007 at 10:30 pm
It was not to be. As expected the first session decided the course of the match and the Australians completed their domination by winning the 2nd Test and the Series 2-0. Murali would have to wait for the next series (home against England) to break Shane Warne’s record. God help England because my guess is that Murali would be his lethal best then.