When the Lankans touched down in Mandela land, the odds were stacked heavily against them. Other than for the World Cup triumph to show in limited overs cricket, which cricket is not what the game is all about, they were going to be a push over side in the Tests against South Africa is what the South Africans thought.
That the Sri Lankans were in the picture till lunch time on the final day, surprised all and sundry and had Hansie Cronje and his men on the hop. At the press conference at the conclusion of the game Cronje complimented the Lankans on their gutty showing. 'They are a good side and Tribute to Marvan they always played positively which had us worried', he said.
Tribute to Mavan
Sri Lanka skipper Arjuna Ranatunga spoke in glowing terms when questioned on the batting of opener Marvan Atapattu. 'Atapattu batted better than when he made the double hundred against Zimbabwe. His was an exemplary knock and wished he would take this form into the second Test starting at the Centurian Park, Pretoria on Friday. Atapattu made twin fifties and what batsmanship he provided the locals.
When questioned on the umpiring Ranatunga said: 'ICC rules of conduct require that I do not comment. But as journalists I leave it to you to judge', he diplomatically answered.
Ranatunga also said that this was one of the best test matches that he has ever played in. Speaking to this writer he praised the Newlands wicket and said that this is the type of wickets that test cricket should always be played on. He was hoping for a similar wicket at Centurian Park.
Determination
That the Sri Lankans were able to dismiss the South Africans for totals of 418 and 264, speaks volumes for the determination of their bowlers. With only two Test class bowlers to show in Vaas and Muralitharan these two supported by Wickremasinghe and Jayasuriya did well to knock over the Proteas twice.
It was the dropped chance of Darryl Cullinan before he had scored and the decisions that went against Ranatunga in the first innings and Jayasuriya and Vaas in the second innings that had Lanka on the lane of defeat. Cullinan was also lucky to receive the benefit of the doubt when he was on 4.
All Sri Lankan batsmen proved that Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock, two of the most feared fast bowlers in Test cricket could be made to look ordinary if stood up to fearlessly and strokes played.
They were made to look so ordinary at times that they resorted to even bowling bouncers against 9, 10 and jack. In the good old days when test cricket was played as a sport, no such tactics were resorted to against the tailenders.
Blood sport
But today in the cauldron of highly commercialised and competitive Test cricket, anything is fair.
Today cricket which was a gentlemen's game has been made a blood sport. And Donald and Pollock seem intent on keeping it that way. Vaas, Wickremasinghe, Muralitharan and Pushpakumara were constantly hit and were lucky not to suffer serious injury. At times Donald and Pollock were overdoing the bouncer.
Anyway the Lankans can pat themselves on a game well played.
During the closing stages of the Test the South African team for the second Test was announced. Out goes nephew of Dr. Ali Bacher, Adam and in comes Geradus Lidenberg to open with gary Kirsten.