The Melbourne miracle

As Sri Lankan cricket lover, I have seen some unforgettable matches with extremely close finishes and could barely look at the final ball or so. Those were that much thrilling and among them, one match is always on top of the list as far as my memory go in ODI s. It is the first ODI between Sri Lanka and Australia in Sri Lanka’s tour on down and under in 2010.

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Australia batted first and restricted to 238/8 and in reply. Sri Lanka got a decent start. But things went downfall quickly by the introduction of their debut left arm spinner Xavier Doherty who claimed 4 wickets in no time.

Sri Lanka was deeply struggling after 25 overs, 107/8 and the last recognized batsman remaining was Angelo Mathews and joined by Lasith Malinga for the 9 th wicket. The duo counterattacked the bowlers right from the beginning and taken the batting powerplay to further up the ante.

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It was one of the most thrilling batsmanship to watch, Mathews taking on pumped up Mitchell Johnson out of the park and Malinga hitting cross batted shots straight down the ground which was unusual from a reputed batsman.
Australians were hopeless to stop the partnership and have put all the cards on the table. But for a gamble, Captain Michael Clark turned the arm around and as he often did, brought a breakthrough.

Malinga having batted for well made 56, was eager to finish the game with just one run to get, Malinga was run out in Clark’s over with a direct hit from young Steve Smith. The Australians had muted celebrations because still they could not win the game, which was served to them in the first half of the innings. Maybe they have taken things bit easily by then.

In comes the last man, Muttaiya Muralidaran and has to face Shane Watson in the other over. You must never know what you would get from Murali when he is batting. But however, managed to glance Watson to fine leg for a four and Sri Lanka became victorious, One of the most extraordinary matches in ODI history.

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The partnership between Mathews and Malinga is still remains the best ever 9 th wicket partnership and young Mathews has announced his name in the international arena with a grand style. We have witnessed some golden moments in commentary as well of Tony Greig and Michael Slater and co. Once Tony said that you never know what would happen until Mathews was in the crease and if they win it, it would be a miracle.

So that is how it became the Melbourne miracle!