Sri Lanka makes big things in small town South Africa: East London is not a good place to hide when you think things are about to get better. Sleepy, windy, small and, worse, small-minded, it’s a town they leave as soon as they can and return to when their options run out.
Sri Lanka makes big things in small town South Africa But there South Africa was from last Wednesday until this Tuesday, stuck in East London waiting for a bigger tide than the nearby Indian Ocean.
Sri Lanka won their only women’s series in South Africa by winning the third T20I at Buffalo Park last Wednesday. The first ODI was played at the same ground on Tuesday, when – Masabata Klaas told reporters from the Kimberley on Friday – “it rained, as it always does”.
Sri Lanka makes big things in small town South Africa, Washout left home with one win after four matches against the Lankans. The series remains unbeaten if South Africa lose the remaining two ODIs on Saturday in Kimberley or Wednesday in Potchefstroom.
Has East London worked its magic on Marijan Cap? The South African star earned a demerit point for his animated send-off at Chamari Athapathu last Wednesday and was dismissed on Tuesday for “using an audible obscenity”, the ICC said on Friday. This is the cap for violations of the ICC Code of Conduct of 24 months. What if you were sent somewhere so absurd for seven games in 15 months?
After scoring 29 in three T20 innings, he found his groove on Tuesday with 116, his second century in 25 innings in the format. Crucially, he did not let the dry weather in the days leading up to the match get in the way of his preparations.
Sri Lanka makes big things in small town South Africa “Even though it was raining, I came to the indoor net [at Buffalo Park] and I hit a few balls,” Britts told reporters after Tuesday’s game. ” We’re moving on!’
What can Kimberly offer? “It’s like the weather in Melbourne,” Athapathu told reporters in the sun on Friday. Saturday’s forecast promises more of the same. It will burn not only in South Africa but also in other places. Neither Benoni, where the first T20 was played, nor Poch. Many female teams, who don’t get to see big venues like their male counterparts.
Sri Lanka makes big things in small town South Africa:
Still, Athapathu was enjoying himself: “South Africa is one of my favorite countries. I like the weather and the environment and especially the hospitality. The people are very nice. The country is very green with many rivers and mountains, and I like it. The animals. I’m here. Yes. I came as a cricketer, but I want to come as a tourist because I want to see a lot of places.”
His team’s results on this tour have helped the habitually cheerful Athapathu look on the bright side. Sing when you win, they say. Wherever you are.