As I write this.... the only feeling that surrounds me is a feeling of depression, depression and more depression. So much of hope was built up around this entire day where we would win the world cup once again, and regain the glory of 1996, which now seems so far away, it seems like a distant dream!

 

From the moment we lost the toss, I felt a tremor go through my body, cos I knew it spelt disaster, if the Aussies took first lease of a pitch that looked so good for batting, and with the sun out as well, things looked very dismal. However, I still had hope, for 2 reasons: [1] Mahela seemed ok even with batting 2nd, and [2] if Vaas gets swing from the early morning conditions, we could rip their top order apart. Alas, I think Mahela in his heart of hearts truly wished he could have batted first, and Vaas didn't get any swing, nor did Malinga, and that was the start of our downfall. From the time Gilly started smashing us like a exhibition buffet match, it was just ominious signs right throughout, and my last hope rested in Murali  and our spinners getting some quick wickets to stem the flow of runs, but that too never transpired, and in the end, the aussies did what they had to, they neutralized our STRENGTH which was our bowling, and made sure they were in safe waters by posting 288-4 by the end of 38 overs.

 

Thereafter, it was just forelorn hope that we could make a fist out of it, and Tharanga started off well by smashing the first ball of Bracken for a four. And Sanath and Kumar had their own set of fireworks by getting us in a position to challenge them. While fireworks happened at Barbados, fireworks happened here as well in the nite sky as the terrorists attacked key points in the city and due to that, plunged the whole country into darkness as well. If things couldn't get any worse, Rain hit barbados again, and the target was revised, and with the departure of Sanath and Kumar, Mahela Jaywardene and Chamara Silva decided to floor the accelorator, but by doing so, they got dismissed, and with that it was the end of all hopes, dreams and happiness of every sri lankan living across the world.

 

This was our last chance of ever winning the world cup...... we were so close, yet so far....... I don't think depression could any worse.... I call myself SL Cricket's no.1 fan....  and I know that no matter what happens, I will remain depressed that we couldn't win..... but however, I am so proud of our guys for proving to the world, that we are no push overs, and even though Australia is no.1 now.... we are no.2 and a very CLOSE no.2 that can beat the whole world on their day! .......