Sri Lankan all-rounder Angelo Mathews severely tested the resolve generated in the Australian team by captain Michael Clarke at the WACA last night.
Mathews bowled David Warner off an inside edge for 34 when the left-hander was looking ominous, and was last man out for 64 within six runs of a famous victory.
Mathews is an extremely talented cricketer, as he showed in the final over last night when Sri Lanka needed 18 runs to win with nine down.
Undeterred, Mathews hooked the first ball from paceman Mitchell Starc for four, off-drove the next for a massive six, and it was a new ball game with eight to get off four.
Mathews and partner Dhammika Prasad swapped singles, leaving six required off two.
Unfortunately for Sri Lanka, Matthews top-edged a pull into the safe hands of Dan Christian at mid-on, and that was that. Australia home by five runs with a ball to spare, a top game of cricket for the much-maligned 50-over format.
Clarke was man-of-the-match for many reasons. But mainly his 57 off a patient 88 deliveries, with just four boundaries, holding the side together as wickets fell around him – Mike Hussey (23), David Hussey (27) and Christian (33), when all three looked set.
That was Clarke’s resolve, but it rubbed off on the late order batsmen with Clint McKay (25) and Starc (14) adding 39 precious runs for the last two wickets that was the difference between winning and losing.
Australia’s 231 was the lowest total against Sri Lanka at the WACA. The loss was Sri Lanka’s 17th of 19 at the same venue.
So to defend the 231 took a lot of resolve, none more so than left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty, whose 2-24 off 10 was exemplary.
To think this Australian side remains unbeaten in the series against the second and fourth-ranked nations without the services of Shane Watson, Patrick Cummins, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, and Ben Hilfenhaus says volumes for Michael Clarke’s captaincy.
He keeps going from strength to strength at the helm as the West Indies, South Africa, and England will soon find out as the team resolve strengthens.
Sign the man up for a contract next season!
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