On the walk to the ground on the morning of Day 4, I casually remark to my wife Marg that attending a Test match abroad can be a test of endurance. This is her first overseas Test match, and she lets me know that, yes, she is aware that the early starts and long days can be taxing. It is 9:30am and already it feels as if the humidity is embracing us in a bear-hug. We are dripping with sweat by the time we present our entry tickets at the gate.
Outside the entryway to the Galle Cricket Club, which is where we are sitting today, there is a merchandise stall which sells a multitude of cricket-related nick-nacks; among them are mini bats, stubby holders, caps, and team shirts. I am told that if I was to ask for a Perth Scorchers shirt for example, that would not be a problem. I am mildly surprised that Cricket Australia’s legal eagles have not attempted to shut down this enterprise – or maybe they have? The Galle Cricket Club itself is housed in a building which is showing many signs of dilapidation. But the staff are friendly, and the atmosphere is relaxed and free of the officials who are seemingly forever peering over one’s shoulder at Australian venues.
Not long after we have assumed our seating positions, Australia snares the first of the fifteen Sri Lankan wickets which would fall on this day, when Kushal Mendis is removed by Matt Kuhnemann. The home team’s first innings is wrapped up so rapidly that our official* stubby-holders have yet to hold their first 500ml can. It really is a disappointing batting collapse. As Steve Smith rightly sends in Sri Lanka for the follow-on, there is a belief amongst our travelling crew that the only barrier to Australia winning with a day to spare will be the weather. On Day 3 we bore witness to a tropical storm that had the full ground covers saturated. It really is a credit to the ground staff that the arena is presented in such pristine condition today.
The Australians duly finish the job. Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis, and the skipper Dhananjaya de Silva all offer some resistance, but many of their runs come as a result of the attacking fields being set. The crowd is entertained by tail-ender Jeffrey Vandersay’s lustily hit 53, but nothing is getting in the way of the Big Kahuna and the dinosaur-like Nathan Lyon, who take four wickets apiece. The pitch was offering plenty of turn, but 15 poles in two sessions? I have seen worse Day 4 wickets than this.
We adjourn early for an afternoon swim at our hotel, where all manner of issues are discussed. At this Test, the elephant in the room has been the rumoured proposal at the highest levels of cricket for a two-tiered Test cricket system. Amongst other things, would this mean that Australia no longer tour Sri Lanka. And Galle? As someone who was fortunate enough to watch an over or two from the wall of the adjacent fort on Day 2 and marvel at the ridiculous beauty of this area, that would indeed be a tragedy. For I would return to this glorious country in a heartbeat.
Photos: Smokie Dawson
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Good stuff Smokie. Galle certainly appeals as a place to visit, and oh yes, watch a Test match.
The future of Test cricket is a vexed one. No point talking about cricket being a sport it is a business, one that is very profitable for some nations, though less so for others. In my life I’ve seen the banning, re-entry of South Africa. Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe gained test status, then a while down the track Bangladesh got Test status, followed eventually Afghanistan and Eire. But………………….
Sri Lanka and Bangladesh still seem to play a few tests, Zimbabwe? A two tier test structure will spell the death knell for some of the nations that have gained Test status in the last 40 or so years. Also can you imagine if one of the big three have a few bad years and run the risk of ending up in the second tier? As sure as night follows day the BCCI would not allow India that sort of fall, and I’d be intrigued at how the MCC & ACB would act.
How does a big player in the entertainment industry like international cricket establish a revenue sharing to allow all Test nations to survive and thrive? I’d be shocked if the media conglomerates who televise the matches would willingly lose some revenue to allow the smaller nations to survive.
Unsure where to from here for Tests but I’m sure where you, and your wife, currently are is the place to enjoy Test cricket. Have your hoppers, enjoy the 500 ml Lions, and let’s see if we can win the series 2-0
Glen!.
Galle let alone the country looks so pretty
Hope the two tier system never takes place, cannot see how it benefits anyone in tier 2
Smokie I will say that Sri Lanka tail especially in the 1st innings was as poor as I’ve ever seen let alone the huge technical deficiencies of there offie ( I know this will amaze you but I was out and about at pubs attempting to sell my book ) India – England and Australia have a massive responsibility to the other nations especially financially I am v firm in that regard for mine that’s the biggest issue – thanks Smokie
I can see you enjoyed Galle and the cricket Smokie. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Galle looks stunning on TV. Would love to read some insights on Sri Lanka from a tourist perspective beyond cricket.
As for Two Tier Test Cricket – why the fuss. We already have it. India; England; Australia – rinse repeat. Little bit of South Africa and New Zealand (never at home) for spice. Pakistan is a security and economic basket case. Other countries? You might as well ask Collingwood to play Goondiwindi away. No credibility, No competition. No cash.
Cricket’s future is franchises.
Hey Smokie – thanks for reporting from Galle, It is so nice to have our own man on the ground. Let’s hope the 2nd test offers a less one-sided outcome.
Thanks to you all for your comments on both this and the earlier report.
Time constraints have dictated that I cannot answer each individually.
We have departed Galle and are heading north.
Sadly, Mr Inglis was commandeered by the media before he could join us for a beer.
G’day Smokie.
Watching the T 20 World Cup in India, Sri Lanka, has been good. Last night’s victory in Colombo by Zimbabwe over Australia was interesting. After what Zimbabwe cricket has endured the last few decades I was happy cheering them on.
The Australian side ???
Anyhow the question I’ll pose you is, why are there no matches in Galle? It’s been a regular international venue as long as I can recall, unsure why it’s not used in this series.
Glen!
You’ve made good points Glen.
I have always believed that anything can happen in T20 than any other form of cricket. It’s like saying to top professional male tennis players, you’re only playing one set of tennis, not best of three or best of five. You’re quite right to recognise Zimbabwe’s performance as Australia have been successful for a long time in most formats, whereas in tennis, it’s been a long time since the male Australian tennis players have won a Davis Cup title, let alone Grand Slam singles titles. Reality hit when Australia was upset by Ecuador in the 1st round of the Davis Cup last week, as Australia had many injuries to their top players and also couldn’t handle the conditions over there on clay.
Can’t answer why there’s no matches in the current T20 Cup in Galle, but it will be Kandy or nothing when Australia play Sri Lanka Tuesday night, Sri Lanka time. Let’s hope Australia take the chocolates in Kandy!
Regarding the current Australian T20 World Cup team, it’s been a combination of injuries to their best T20 players, the conditions in the heat and the spinning pitches.
I think Matt Renshaw has been a revelation and although it’s only T20, to me, he will be a regular Test opener (if not somewhere else in the batting order) for the Australian Test team for years to come. He’s averaging 70 with the bat in the current Sheffield Shield season. My prediction is he will be the next Matthew Hayden, who was dropped early in his Test career, and then was selected many years later and thrived in his thirties.
It might not have changed last night’s result but the T20 World Cup Winning Team for Australia in the final against New Zealand in Dubai in November 2021 was:
David Warner
Aaron Finch
Mitchell Marsh
Glenn Maxwell
Steve Smith
Marcus Stoinis
Matthew Wade
Pat Cummins
Mitchell Starc
Adam Zampa
Josh Hazelwood
Only Maxwell, Stoinis and Zampa played last night. Finch, Wade and Warner have retired from international cricket, although Warner is still doing well for the Sydney Thunder and Wade’s doing well for the Hobart Hurricanes. Interestingly, Travis Head wasn’t in that T20 World Cup winning side. Smith’s now in the squad and should be selected due to what’s occurred and the others are currently injured.
Starc, Hazelwood and Cummins may not have been the answer in these conditions and Mitchell Marsh is generally better against the fast bowlers but we’ll never know. Cricket (especially T20 cricket) is a funny game and it’s what happens on the day or night that counts.