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Another absorbing battle of attrition?
By Aubrey Kuruppu
Shane Warne sealed a triumphant comeback to international cricket by becoming the first spin bowler to take 500 Test wickets as Australia defeated Sri Lanka by 197 runs on Friday. Warne, playing in his first Test since returning last month from a one-year ban for failing a drug test, was mobbed by team-mates after claiming the scalp of Sri Lanka skipper Hashan Tillakaratne to reach the milestone.

The 34-year-old legend finished the match with figures of 10-159 as Sri Lanka collapsed to 154 all out in their second innings after the Australians had earlier declared on 512-8. Warne ended the game with 501 Test victims, with only retired West Indian bowler Courtney Walsh standing ahead of him on the all-time wicket-taking standings with 519. And so to picturesque, mountainous Asgiriya. If the track plays true to character, it will be good to bat on. Murali should pose the customary problems. But what, oh what is Vaas doing? Certainly the Galle track wasn't one he would like to carry around with him.

The Aussie had their confidence and pride dented on the first two days down south, but how they came back! Notwithstanding the conceding of the first innings lead, the Aussies now hold the psychological edge. Almost every batsman - save for Gilchrist - has got among the runs. Murali has been subject to close scrutiny and the batsmen have become wise to some, at least, of his wills.

Gavaskar and Solkar may have helped to get the shine off in the 1970s before the famed spin quartet took over. But Sri Lanka will be shooting itself in the foot by continuing to open the attack with the likes of Dharmasena. The host country is blessed presently with an abundance of medium pacers and is condemned by a paucity of quality spinners. Where and when will the young crop get test exposure? Dilshan and Jayawardena strode out in the batting. The latters talents and contributions we take for granted.

But the former's amazing, recent success has brought to the fore a pertinent question. Why was a player of such exciting talent and aggressive intent not a part of the world cup side. Jayasuriya and Atapattu haven't laid it on thick in their recent partnerships. The solidity is there but somewhat inconsistently. Are the red lights beckoning? How many of the current A team batsmen are capable of stepping into their shoes and filling them?

Asgiriya was the graveyard of the Aussies last time round when the captains were Waugh and Jayasuriya.When penning these thoughts, the tally stands at Murali 496 and Warne 501.

The final accolade should undoubtedly be Murali's for two seasons. At present he is the more destructive and devastating performer. Secondly, he doesn't have too many wickets taking bowlers around him and he has to bowl sides out virtually single-handed. In contrast, by the time Warne gets his hands on the ball, the pace duo of Gillespie and Kasprowiscz would, more often than not, have made early inroads.

The Galle pitch looked a crumbler but stayed the cause well. Asgiriya should see a tinge more grass. All indications are that another, hard-fought game is on the cards. Kandy's cricket fans have generally supported the tests well.

With four of the five days being working and shooting days, the question of 'bums on seats' could well crop up. That's a pity, with the world champions on our door-step.

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