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By the time this article appears the 1st test in Galle barring the weather should be on the way. The test itself will be an important one for both teams, with skipper Sangakkara leading Sri Lanka in a test match for the first time and both teams meeting ach other for the first time yet again in a test match after the unfortunate incident in Lahore. Despite all that and if the weather turns kind, cricket should be evenly contested.
The Sri Lanka team named for the test match looks a balanced unit with both the batting and bowling departments looking good and strong. On the other hand let’s not forget that Pakistan too is a very strong outfit and with the recall of Mohammed Yousuf the batting in particular is looking very impressive and strong.
The probable weakness in the batting line up could be the lack of experience in the opening combination with Salman Butt being the one opener with some experience. But the middle order of Skipper Younis Khan, Misbah Ul Haq, Mohammed Yousuf, Shoaib Malik and wicket keeper Kamran Akmal are a strong combination and will be a tough challenge to the Lankan bowlers. In the bowling too Pakistan look formidable with the pace attack spearheaded by Umar Gul backed by the quality spin of Danesh Kaneria and Ajmal will be a tough proposition for the Lankan batting to handle and will always be a threat.
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| Sangakkara leads Sri Lanka
in a Test for the first time |
For Sri Lanka obviously the squad announced has an excellent blend of youth with experience with obviously the young all rounder Angelo Mathews looking the most exciting of the new brigade. It’s good to see another young and a highly talented wicket keeper batsman Kaushal Silva being picked as the only wicket keeper as a replacement to the injured Prasanna Jayawardane.
Whilst still not in the same class of Jayawardane as a keeper, young Kaushal Silva is a more than capable batsman who could look after himself against the best of bowling. Despite the youth available the Sri Lankans however could be tempted to go in with an experienced XI rather than making too many changes with the possibility of only Angelo Mathews in the starting line up.
For Sri Lanka they have no problems with the top order with Malinda Warnapura now by far Sri Lanka’s most established opener being partnered by Tharanga Paranavithana. The next four slots in the order select themselves. Skipper Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardane, Thilan Samaraweera and Tillakaratne Dilshan are four of the best batsmen in the world and could be termed as solid and formidable to any opposing attack.
It will be the selection of the next five places that will be most interesting. Out of the five slots spinners Muralitharan and mystery man Ajantha Mendis are automatic choices. This would leave us with three slots open out of which one has to be for the wicket keeper or an all rounder. It is obvious that the choice for the no 7 batting spot could be between Kaushal Silva the wicket keeper or Angelo Mathews the all rounder. Judging by the recent past, Sangakkara has always preferred to play purely as a batsman and not with the keeping role combined. If that line of thinking is followed then Kaushal Silva becomes an automatic choice. However my gut feel is that Sangakkara in all probability may opt to keep with Dilshan also used as an option and bring in Angelo Mathews as a 3rd seam bowling option. If that is the case then remaining spots for the pace bowlers will be contested by Kulasekera, Thilina Thushara Mirando and Dhammika Prasad.
Here again Kulasekera should be at least a certainty for this test with the likeliest option to partner him being the faster Dhammika Prasad. True Prasad has been plagued by injuries but at the same time has had an excellent record in his short test career so far. His penetration levels at the longer version has been good and if not for injury could have easily been the replacement for the injured Lasith Malinga. This would be my starting XI for the first test. However I am sure the likes of Suranga Lakmal, Thilina Thushara and Chamara Kapugedara will mount a strong challenge for places in the side. Having said that this line up at its best should be the favourites at Sri Lanka’s happy hunting ground the Galle International Stadium where the opening test match of the series has been won by the home team on most occasions in the past. Let’s wish Sanga and his team all the best and hope history at Galle will repeat itself.
Roshan Abeysinghe is a leading cricket promoter and an international cricket commentator |
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