India and Sri Lanka draw in high-scoring match

COLOMBO: The second Test between India and Sri Lanka ended in a high-scoring draw after the bat dominated the ball on a featherbed wicket for five days. Both rival captains blasted the flat pitch that offered nothing for the bowlers and saw 1,478 runs being scored for the loss of just 17 wickets.

“This one was very unsporting, there was nothing in it for the bowlers,” said Indian captain MS Dhoni, whose team posted 707 in reply to Sri Lanka’s first innings score of 642 for four.

India’s score was just 19 runs short of their Test record of 726 for nine declared against the same opposition at the Brabourne stadium in Mumbai last year.

Sri Lanka then made 129 for three in their second knock before play was called off an hour early with skipper Kumar Sangakkara on 42 and Thilan Samaraweera on 10.

There were five three-figure knocks over the five days, two of them double-centuries by Sangakkara and Sachin Tendulkar, besides a 99 from Indian opener Virender Sehwag.

“If there is nothing for fast bowlers in a wicket, it should at least help the spinners,” said Dhoni. “This one was just for batsmen, while the bowlers got spanked all around the park.

“I am glad we took the lead because when the opposition bats first and puts up more than 600 runs on the board, there is always pressure on the team batting second.

“But we played well and built partnerships, so there are a lot of positives to take away from the Test.”

India’s innings was marked by Sachin Tendulkar’s 203, his fifth double-century, while debutant Suresh Raina made 120 and Dhoni hit 76.

Sangakkara admitted it was “hard work” for the bowlers over the five days, but praised his team’s all-round performance in the match.

“We batted and bowled well, maybe we need to buck up on the fielding,” said the Sri Lankan captain, who was named man of the match for his 219.

Sri Lankan coach Trevor Bayliss said such dead wickets were unlikely to ever produce positive results in Tests.

“We need pitches which are good for batting and have something for the bowlers too,” said Bayliss.

Sri Lanka now head for the final Test at the P. Sara Oval from Tuesday enjoying a 1-0 lead in the series after winning the first match in Galle by 10 wickets.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 31^st, 2010.