Lanky ambition

While the sporting globe has been gorging on German fare of late, the cricketing scene has been simmering on a low burner.

Sri Lanka have been flying below the radar and have made a meal of England. In turn, they have made many observers realise that they are emerging into a surprisingly appetising main course cricketing alternative.

This performance will ensure that South Africa will be even more determined to turn the tables when they embark on what will be a demanding foray to Sri Lanka shortly.

I have no doubt the cricketers have enjoyed the welcome distraction of the World Cup as they escape from their normal demanding routine, but now is the time to get the ingredients spot on for the next challenge.

They are back in camp and eagerly awaiting the taste of Sri Lanka again. Memories of the last tour are bitter. In August 2004 they lost the test series 1-0 and the one-day series score line was a sobering 5-0.

The South Africans were so outplayed that at one of the presentations following yet another one-day loss, Graeme Smith was moved to announce that they were “playing like a bunch of club cricketers!” Club cricketers countrywide protested from their lounge chairs!

Sri Lanka now possess a core of players who are playing as a unit and for the first time in my memory enjoy the luxury of having four or five individuals who have developed into quality exponents of the game who can singularly win matches.

The other important elevation of the Islanders is, that following their demolition of England, they can be considered a force to be reckoned with away from home.

That has never been the case before and emphasises their development of late. The loss of a couple of key players, namely Atapattu and Muralitharan, has not halted their successful charge.

At home, Sri Lanka are formidable. The pitches are tailor made for their ‘spin wizard’ and unsympathetic to pace bowlers. They delight in wearing down opponents with a not so subtle mix of explosive batting, reverse swing and world-class tweakers. The recipe is basic but imposing. Strangulation is their catch cry and that has hung many challengers out to dry.

The South Africans will be under no illusions as to how complicated this journey will be. They will also be vividly aware that this is the start of an extended stay on the sub-continent as the Champions Trophy looms. Should the wheels come off early and their performance is below par then the resurrection of the team to reinstall belief will be an uphill battle.

Compared to their previous incursion, South Africa are a more determined outfit. Since then they have rediscovered some passion and have an enormous desire to succeed. They will also now have grown collectively and will be hardened following lessons learnt during last summer’s grilling.

Further motivation is the fact that they are also striving to regain international respect after an alarming rankings slide, which they are hell bent on correcting.

A fascinating, intriguing battle of wits and endurance awaits.