Almanac Cricket: First Test, Sri Lanka v Australia – Greetings From Galle

 

Social cricket under the wall of Galle fort
Photo: Smokie Dawson

 

As I gaze across the playing surface at Galle, my cricket fan self quietly and gratefully ticks off another bucket list item on Day 1 of the First Test at Galle. It is impossible for one’s eyes not to be continually drawn to the ramparts of the Galle Fort which silently but imposingly overlooks the adjacent cricket ground from the southern side. It has long been a desire to watch a Test match at this most aesthetically impressive of venues, and here I am.

I am touring Sri Lanka with my wife Margaret, who has visited Sri Lanka many times for work. But this is my first visit to the country, and I am continually amazed by the beauty of the island and the friendliness of its people. The humidity is another matter altogether. For the cricket, we have met up with a group of mates from my home town of Williamstown – what are the chances?? The night prior to the match, we dined at a restaurant inside the fort, and I detected that the boys were beginning to show signs of wear and tear.

Our seats are in a corporate box high in the stand, which affords us the most magnificent of vistas across the oval to the domineering walls of the fort beyond. Not long after taking our positions, Steve Smith is blurting out the words “We’ll bat” almost before the coin has even settled on the turf. And what a toss it is to win. Back in Sydney, Pat Cummins might have been chuckling to himself, for his record at the coin toss has been patchy at best.

Australia have made a couple of “horses for courses” tweaks to the line-up, the most contentious of which is the decision to leave out wonderboy Sam Konstas in favour of debutante Josh Inglis. With Cummins unavailable, ‘Bolo’ has made way and three spinners are picked. Half an hour into the day’s play, the bowling selections decisions in particular will be franked.

Khawaja and Head get Australia off to the best of starts, the latter at his imperious best, although he would have been out in the 20’s had Sri Lanka referred an LBW decision. Just when we are contemplating a Head century before lunch, he holes out at long-off; he is filthy with himself, as he knows that there are runs aplenty here. Usman knows that too, and he will eventually cash in – big time. But Head’s 57 off 40 balls is a platform on which other Australian batsmen will dance.

Head’s dismissal brings Labuschagne to the crease, and all of a sudden it looks like Marnus is playing on a different wicket. Plays and misses, false strokes, scratching around, it feels almost merciful when he nicks one to slip just prior to lunch. This will be the day’s final wicket to fall. Smith purposefully strides to the crease, no doubt eager to tick off the 10,000 run milestone quickly – which he immediately does. But he is put down by Jayasuriya second ball, and how costly this missed opportunity will prove is laid bare as Smith pummels the bowling after lunch.

The rest of the day plays out without problem for the visitors – Smith and Khawaja both appear as imperious as the walls of the fort, watching quietly from just beyond. Sri Lanka understandably employs negative bowling tactics as the game slips away. Usman desperately needed this ton; Smith’s fallow period is now fading into the distance as he notches up the milestones. The only question now appears to surround when he himself will pull the pin?

Australia is now in control of everything bar the weather, and as the groundsmen scurry about covering the ground just prior to the scheduled stumps, I suspect it is this variable which may play a part in proceedings in the coming days. But for now, it is time to crack another Lion beer and toast today’s two fine centuries. And of course, that wonderful fort that watched over it all.

Leaving the venue, Marg and I strike up a conversation with Josh Inglis’s parents. They are nervous and excited, and looking forward to watching their son bat tomorrow. Mr Inglis said that he noticed us enjoying the hospitality throughout the day, so much so that asks if maybe he could join us for a beer. Why not? Maybe we could toast another centurion.

 

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