2012 Triangular series sasw the Top ranked ODI team Australia prevail over the 2011 ODI World Champion and Runners up, winning the home triangular series for the 19th time. Despite being the favorites to win the tournament for the first time, SL perished in the final. They won the individual rounds through Dilshan and Malinga, but Australian team had the last laugh in the third match of the finals.
The tournament has seen one of the toughest fight by visitors against Australia. India succumbed easily. But Sri Lanka won 4 of the 7 matches contested against Australia. Their individual brilliances had no answers. Australia kept losing to them before finals. Sri Lankan bowlers led by Malinga, tournament’s highest wicket taker, kept taking all Australian wickets. Sri Lankan batsmen, led by tournament’s highest scorer Dilshan, kept chasing whatever Australian batsmen could score with confidence or after struggling.
But, that was till they reached the final. Australia is without doubt the most confident team when it comes to playing finals of any tournament. The history proves the fact where they have lost very few finals. Despite being tagged favorite, the Sri Lankans were the more nervous side going into the finals. Understandably so, as Australians were up against the wall with the sight of losing third consecutive CB series trophy at home. Clarke’s injury and non-availability of some first choice bowlers added to the woe. On top of that captain Watson was yet to set feet after returning from injury.
After winning the second final Sri Lankans were beaming with confidence. Even Australians fans could have been seeing the trophy slip through again from Australian hand. When Australia batted first to score only 231 runs and got bowled out again, most of the Australian fans might have understood the damned fate.
But, Australian’s never say die attitude is famous in every game. With old horse Brett Lee and young fire McKay joining hands to be the saviour of Australia, after 10 overs of SL inning, the victory was just a matter of time, and it came when SL got bowled with 16 runs less on board.
Teams like Sri Lanka and India can have moments of individual brilliance. But, to become the best team of World they should not only borrow coaches from Australia but also study the internal Australian system that creates players who do not fear when it comes to national pride and set aside all barriers to join hands to win. Being Second is never an option for them. Take it World Cup finalists.
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