‘Left arm spinners cannot unclog your drains, teach your children, or cure you of disease. But once in a while, the very best of them will bowl a ball that will bring an entire nation to its feet….’
Excerpt from ‘Chinaman’, by author Shehan Karunathilake
I can’t think of a better statement that would encapsulate the mood of everyone who was either at Pallakele, or at home glued to their television sets. The spin duo of 
Rangana Herath and Lakshan Sandakan were undoubtedly two key elements that brought us victory, along with that breathtaking knock by Kusal Mendis. However, there were many unsung heroes too that pitched in at vital moments which swung this match Sri Lanka’s way from a once, hopeless situation. Hence, it was very much a team effort. This match in many ways reinforced the fact that test match cricket is by no means dead, and remains the most purest form which pushes the boundaries of patience and endurance, aside from cricketing ability.
The test match got off to an all too familiar beat, which was pretty much in step with the recent poor showings in England. On spin-friendly subcontinent pitches, winning the toss gives you a considerable advantage. However, the plan seemed to go horribly wrong when being skittled out for a paltry 117. Debutant Dhanajaya De Silva’s entertaining 24, the only noteworthy mention. Australia closed the day on 66/2, and were well on course to build a commanding lead. From Sri Lanka’s standpoint, it was important they didn’t let the Aussie’s get too far ahead. Angelo Matthews, a punching bag for criticism over the last couple of months had to be sharp. He simply couldn’t afford to let the game drift. The stage was set for someone to step up and make a name for himself. You could almost bet money on Rangana Herath being the chief protagonist in the Sri Lankan charge. He has been exceptional over the years and carried the mantle after the retirement of Murali. But he needed someone to exert pressure at the other end. Sandakan duly answered that call, and took his opportunity with both hands. He’s got a great wrist spinners action, and it’s almost impossible to spot the variation at the time of release, between his leg spinner, ‘wronger’, or the one that just skids through. An almost nightmare scenario for the Aussies who were seeing him for the first time.
The constant pressure applied by the left arm spin duo broke down the Aussies. More mentally I would say, which showed through with their captain Steve Smith’s woeful air shot midway down the pitch that saw him stumped. They collectively managed 203. What was most disappointing for them is that Khawaja, Smith, Voges, and Marsh all got starts, but just couldn’t push on. Yet, they still had a lead of 86, and surely still fancied wrapping up the hosts without too much resistance. That belief would surely have been strengthened when Mitchell Starc sent Kusal Perera packing on the last ball of the day. Sri Lanka closed on 6/1, still 80 runs adrift and staring down the barrel.
In hindsight, you have to question the logic of sending in Kusal Perera to open the innings ahead of Dimuth Karunarathna. Perera knows only to play one way, and that is not compatible with the situation that demands the blunting of a fiery opening spell of fast bowling. He is a carbon copy of Jayasuriya, but you would think Sri Lanka will be better served with Perera batting in the middle order. He would then likely come in (more often than not) when the shine is off the ball, and the bowlers have depleted some energy. Pretty much like Adam Gilchrist who opened for Australia in one-day cricket, but came in at 6 or 7 in the longer format.
Enter day 3. When I do make my way to a test match I try to make sure I catch the 3rd day. This is generally the day where the plot is set, and one team really wrestles home the advantage. Australia delivered another early blow – Karunarathna back in the hut without troubling the scorers. Cast into the hornets’ nest is young Kusal Mendis. One of the few highlights of the dismal tour to England was the arrival on the international stage of this fine young batsman. Anyone who has followed the game knows that a couple of fifties against premier swing bowling in early English summer, playing on debut – is not mean feat. But Mendis found himself in a familiar cauldron of wickets falling around him. Sri Lanka desperately needed someone to stand up and score a big century. This was a perfect opportunity, and Mendis duly obliged.
In Sri Lanka, to be considered a great batsman, you would have to have racked up a big score against Australia. 
Aravinda De Silva is one of my all-time favourite batsmen. His 167 made in Brisbane in 1989 still ranks as one of the greatest innings by a Sri Lankan. And who could forget that century in the World Cup final in 1996? A poor umpiring decision deprived Kumar Sangakkara of a double century in Hobart. Tillekeratne Dilshan also scored a ton on the same ground. Master blast Sanath Jayasuriya sent the ball to all parts of the Adelaide Oval in 1996. All of them are household names in Sri Lankan cricketing history. You can now add Kusal Mendis 
to that list. A mercurial 176 that epitomized in many ways how Sri Lanka play the game. There was not ‘stonewalling’. At a strike rate of just under 70, Mendis’ inning was embellished with 21 fours, and a six.
Sri Lanka were back in it, and their tails were up. The pitch was also beginning to play better as the day wore on. Sri Lanka piled up 353, setting the host a challenging, but by no means impossible 267 runs to win. Apart from the Mendis heroics, there were very useful contributions from Chandimal (42), De Silva (36), and the evergreen Herath (35) himself. Another decisive head blow to the Aussies.
Australia responded aggressively, but at the cost of 3 wickets to close overnight on 83/3. The stage was set for an exhilarating finale.
On the fifth morning, all outcomes were possible. A premature close to proceedings was a distinct possibility given the time lost on all four of the previous day. Either for rain, or for bad light. If Australia got off to a good start, even a win was possible. We all saw what Pakistan did to us not long ago at the same venue. The pitch also was playing better. There was turn, but it was slow turn, giving the batsman some time to make the adjustment. Smith looked good at the start, and Voges very solid. A somewhat unfortunate end saw Voges fall, and then Smith followed quickly. Sri Lanka were all over them like a rash. But what about the rain? Dark clouds gathered, threatened, and then moved past. There was to be no reprieve for the Aussies. But against Australia, nothing comes easy. The injury stricken Steve o’Keefe, ruled out for the rest of the tour with a hamstring injury was not letting up, providing able support for keeper-batsman Phil Nevill. The strength of their lower order resolve saw a world record 25.4 overs go by without a single run being scored. However, with tea approaching the stiff resistance eventually wilted. But boy, did the hosts have to work hard for it.
Mendis, deservedly walked away with the ‘Man-of-the-Match’ award, pipping Sandakan, and Herath. However, as stated there were other significant contributions, some which occurred at crucial points of the game. Nuwan Pradeep bowled very well in the first innings, capturing the wickets of David Warner, and the stubborn Adam Voges, who looked well set at the time. Chandimal and De Sliva’s knocks in the second innings were so important in supporting Mendis. And on the final day, De Silva proved to have the golden arm when he picked up the wicket of Nevill, just when the Aussies were daring to believe.
Victory is sweet, and all the more sweeter given our fortunes of late. Credit must be also given to the men working behind the scenes. Chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya also deserves a big pad on the back. 
We are finally investing in our youth. Just goes to show what they are capable of, and what is possible when given the exposure and opportunity.
On to Galle, and a new day. There’s some questions to ask about our line up. Do we keep the same eleven? Is Dilruwan to be swapped for an additional batsman? It remains to be seen. Whatever the make-up, it’s important that the team builds on this performance.
For you and I, let’s stand by our young and talented cricket team.
