ZCZC
BSP-05
CRICKET-SRI-RSA
Sri Lanka savours rare cricket win after ‘unthinkable’ victory
COLOMBO, Feb 24, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Sri Lankan politicians, cricket legends
and newspaper were gushing praise Sunday after the national team’s
“unthinkable” series triumph against South Africa.
The depleted Sri Lankan side led by interim captain Dimuth Karunaratne won
the two-Test series at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth on Saturday in a
stunning performance.
“First Asian nation to win a series in South Africa,” said the Sunday
Island in banner headlines. “Sri Lanka pull off the unthinkable in South
Africa.”
The Sunday Times of Colombo called the national team “conquerors” for
snatching an unexpected series win.
“Rookie Lankans silence critics,” said the Sunday Morning weekly.
Both President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil
Wickremesinghe were quick to hail the team’s rare success.
Former skipper Kumar Sangakkara noted they had been under pressure both on
and off field.
“Congratulations … for achieving what no other Sri Lankan team has ever
come close to. Huge character shown by all concerned with The team, coaching
staff and management having been under tremendous pressure,” Sangakkara said
on Twitter.
“A team effort for the ages. Keep believing and keep fighting.”
Fellow former captain Mahela Jayawardena called it a “great team effort”.
Sri Lanka went in for the series without a single win since October.
They arrived in South Africa after two heavy Test defeats in Australia,
which led to Dinesh Chandimal being fired as captain, coach Chandika
Hathurusingha having his powers curtailed and major changes in personnel,
some caused by injuries.
Sri Lanka’s series win was one of the biggest upsets in recent cricket
history.
South Africa had won their previous seven series at home and had won 16
out of 19 home Tests, with only two defeats, before losing in Durban.
Sri Lanka, by contrast, had lost six and drawn one of their previous seven
Tests before arriving in South Africa.
South Africa had won 19 of 21 previous home series against Asian
opponents, with the only exceptions being when India and Pakistan shared one
series each.
Sri Lanka won the World Cup in 1996 and since then the sport has been
plagued by management scandals, allegations of corruption and player
squabbling.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1151 hrs