CRICKET: India win but where was Mendis???

An unbelievable omission

India took out the World Cup cricket final yesterday as most predicted they might, despite a good fight from Sri Lanka to set a total of 274.  Sri Lanka were never going to win the game with the bat when comparing the two lineups, and hampered themselves completely by omitting Herath and more importantly Mendis, giving away their slight advantage identified with the ball.  I still can't quite figure out their thinking here.  Mendis, having taking 8 wickets at an economy of 3.14 was not considered good enough to tackle the Indian lineup, when he had troubled every other team in the lead up too.  It was like Sri Lanka had forgot what had got them to the final in the first place.  It wasn't because they were a team with the best cricketers.  It was because they were the team with the weirdest cricketers, including the finger flicking specialist.

The injury to Mathews and the need to strengthen their batting lineup is what probably got them scared, but Perera and Randiv (their replacements) were never going to offer the challenge Mendis and Herath had previously created.  If Sri Lanka had named that team against us, I would've been jumping up and down for joy naked in the cold streets of Balham, so much our chances would've been increased for victory.  It also must have been a complete smack in the face to the two bowlers who had done so well to help get their team there.

It wasn't so much that I was disappointed for Sri Lanka, as I thought India deserved it for their overall performance throughout, but more disappointed for cricket and the setup of what could've been.  The most skillfully strange spinner in the world vs the strongest batters in the world.  Sadly that contest was left wanting and considering how well their batters did on the day, it was that unnecessary fear, not present in previous play, that cost them the game.