Sports
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| Vaas-Murali
combination can do it!
Buoyant over their 3-2 win in the one day series, Australian kick off as favourites in the three test series against Sri Lanka baring the magic of Muttaih Muralitharan when the first test begins at the picturesque Galle International Stadium tomorrow. Despite playing in humid conditions Ricky Ponting's Australians have proved in the last few weeks that they have adapted well to the dusty brown tracks that are slow and low and also to the heat and humidity that is encountered in the island during this time of the year. Their run up to the all important test series was just what they wanted. They easily won the one day series 3-2 to take a psychological advantage over their opponents and in the only warm up game all their top order batsman chalked up big scores with centuries coming from Darren Lehmann, Simon Katich and Andrew Symonds. To add the icing on the cake, leg spinning partners Shane Warne and Stuart Macgill shared nine wickets between them and got a good measure of the tracks that they will have to bowl on in the test series. Although Warne was not at his best the Victorian is expected to play alongside Stuart Macgill tomorrow. The Australians will also have the luxury of the part time spinners Andrew Symonds and Darren Lehmann to torment the Lankan batsmen who have lately shown signs of doubt to the slow bowlers. Australians only worry is with speedster Brett Lee. Lee left the field during Australia's three-day tour game against a Sri Lankan President's XI complaining of pain in the same ankle from which bone spurs were removed last year. Scans revealed no further structural damage to the ankle, though medical staff admitted Lee may be battling to take part in the Test. "If we were a week away I'd be a much higher chance of playing," Lee was quoted as saying "It's just post-operation soreness." The injury prompted the Australian selectors to rework their plans, given Lee had emerged as the front-runner to share the new ball with Jason Gillespie. If Lee fails to pass a fitness test Michael Kasprowicz will share the new ball with Jason Gillespie. Sri Lanka on the other hand will once again look to their champion off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan for salvation. With a host of tricks under his sleeve and a burning desire to prove his class, Muttiah Muralitharan is raring to go against the Aussies. Although he encountered some resistance from the Australians in the one dayers, the off spinner is bound to create the problems for the Aussie batsmen. Unlike in the one dayers the spinner will be able to attack the Australian batsmen with an umbrella field and keep up the pressure, increasing his chances of picking up wickets. Muralitharan (485) who is on the threshold of being the first spinner to reach 500 wickets is likely to be supported by leg spinner Kaushal Lokuarachchi. Lokuarachchi is fighting alongside Upul Chandana for the second spinners berth. Lanky medium pacer Nuwan Zoysa is set to return to the starting line up after nearly two years. Zoysa who picked up the man of the match award in the last one dayer has improved considerably and is expected to have the Australian batsman on the backfoot. With Chaminda Vaas bowling at his best Sri Lanka's bowling has the resources to contain the strong Australian batting line up. Sri Lanka’s worry has been in their batting. With openers Sanath Jayasuriya and Marvan Atapattu struggling to play to their true potential the onus has been on the middle order. Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara appear to be in good nick. However the Lankan opening pair will have to shrug off their lost touch and play a more responsible innings if Sri Lanka is to put up a fight against the World Champions. Skipper Hashan Tilakaratne, Tilakaratne Dilshan and Thilan Samaraweera will form the backbone of the Lankan batting that will be up against the hostile medium pacers and the intelligent spinners from down under. |
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