After squaring the Test series 1-all the two skippers – Dhoni and Sangakkara will travel to Dambulla to take part in the tri-series Pic by Ranjith Perera |
Come Tuesday, the serious mood of playing Test cricket will convert to the pyjama version of it when the Lankans meet their customary opponents India along with New Zealand to pit their wits once again in a tri-series one year hence. Along with that shift the cricket will also move to the wilderness in Rangiri Dambulla, where even some of the well known Indian scribes are frightened to tread upon.
The last time the three teams played a tri-series was in Colombo in September 2009 and India were the ultimate winners beating Sri Lanka by 46 runs in a high scoring game at the R. Premadasa Stadium, which is now undergoing a huge facelift in preparation for next year’s World Cup semi-final.
The Lankan selectors announced the squad for the series yesterday, with no major surprises, but have included irresistible Chamara Silva who carries a trail of top level international failures.
They have found no place for leg spinning allrounders Thilina Kandamby and Jeewan Mendis. Yet again the excuse is that only 15 players can make the squad.
At the top of the batting, successful Test opener Tharanga Paranavithana who took two centuries off the Indian attack makes way for another Tharanga -- Upul, also a highly successful opener for Lankans in the recent times. However, the more experienced Dilshan may have to rekindle his confidence levels if he proposes to be as successful as he was a year-ago.
New Zealand skipper Ross Taylor |
Besides the run-making duo of skipper Sangakkara (who incidentally has hit a very encouraging purple patch) and his new deputy Mahela Jayawardena, the middle looks a bit thin with only the solid Samaraweera being the batsman to look upon. This means allrounder Angelo Mathews will have to prop the Lankan inning with the bat on more than one occasion, while hard hitting Tissara Perera also can come to the rescue if his services are needed.
In the bowling department Nuwan Kulasekera who was counted below the skill levels of Chanaka Welagedera during the Test series makes a welcome return while the rest of the gang looks the same save the king maker Muttiah Muralitharan who has left his options open only for T20s and the 2011 World Cup.
The Indians have kept their faith upon their youth with Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Dinesh Karthik coming into replace the skills of Tendulkar (who has been rested for this series), Laxman and Dravid while off spinner R. Aswin comes in for Harbhajan Singh who is also rested.
 New Zealand on their path have flown in an experienced lot with in-form batsman Ross Taylor at the helm. Incidentally Jesse Ryder who fowls with his discipline following his withdrawal from the tour was replaced by Peter Ingram.
The Sri Lankan Squad: Kumar Sangakkara(Captain), Mahela Jayawardana (V Captain), T.M. Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Angelo Mathews, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Kapugedara, Chamara Silva, Suraj Randiv, Ajantha Mendis, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekera, Dilhara Fernando, Rangana Herath, Thisara Perera.
New Zealand Squad: Ross Taylor, (Captain), Grant Elliott, Martin Guptill, Gareth Hopkins (wicketkeeper), Peter Ingram, Nathan McCullum, Andy McKay, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Jeetan Patel, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Daryl Tuffey, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson,
Indian Squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Captain), Virender Sehwag (Vice-Captain), Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Dinesh Karthik, R. Ashwin, Praveen Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Abhimanyu Mithun, Ashish Nehra, Pragyan Ojha, Sourabh Tiwary. Aug 10: India v New Zealand |
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