The win is special for four reasons. Firstly, this win was achieved in the early part of English summer when the wickets are fresh and ideally suited for the home team who are well adapt to tackle those conditions. True Sri Lanka have achieved previous ODI highs on other occasions in England, notably the 5-0 drubbing in 2006 and winning the Emirates Cup tri-nation tournament in 1998. But both those triumphs came in the latter part of the summer unlike on this occasion when the ODI series was competed in May and June.
Secondly, England had significant advantage over their opponents after Paul Farbrace’s defection a mere two weeks before tour got underway. England knew that Farbrace could provide them with inside information of their opponents. Even some senior Sri Lankan players conceded that with Farbrace’s defection, they could playing into England’s hands, but to their credit they competed extremely well.
Thirdly, the Sri Lankans are enjoying a roller coaster ride this year in limited over cricket. They beat Bangladesh 3-0 before winning the Asia Cup with an unbeaten record. They beat Ireland as well in Dublin before overcoming England 3-2. This year, Sri Lanka’s record in ODI cricket is played 14 and won 12. The team will be looking to ride on that momentum during the home series against Pakistan and South Africa before taking on New Zealand in a seven match series just before the World Cup. Such lead up is ideal for a successful run in a tournament like the World Cup and the Sri Lankans will be gaining in confidence. The losing finalists of the 2007 and 2011 World Cup would be looking to go all the way in 2015 in
Another reason why the triumph is important is because Sri Lanka bounced back from two tough games. In the opening ODI at The Oval, they were blown away for 144 runs chasing a target of 248 to lose the game by 81 runs. Then they triumphed in Durham but the third ODI in Manchester proved to be a disaster as Sri Lanka were bowled out for their lowest total against England. Their total of 67 all out is also their third lowest in ODI cricket and after England triumphed with all ten wickets to spare, not many gave the tourists a chance to bounce back.
But their remarkable fight back at Lord’s proved their mental toughness with star batsman Kumar Sangakkara making a match winning century, his maiden ton at The Home of Cricket.
When it’s cold and damp, Sri Lanka’s batsmen struggle and the victory in the final match in Birmingham was extremely special. The Sri Lankans had always struggled at Birmingham where the ball swings a lot. That was Sri Lanka’s maiden win in Birmingham having previously lost an ODI to India in a tri-nation tournament in 2002. They had also lost two Tests to England in Birmingham by an innings margin in 2002 and by six wickets in 2006.
There were setbacks like losing Suranga Lakmal with a hamstring injury and off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake being reported for a suspect bowling action. But the tourists overcame those obstacles to record a remarkable series win and that will be a confident booster ahead of the Test series.
