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Malsiri Kurukulasuriya

Many a scribe I am sure are scribbling notes condemning Sri Lanka's defeat to a multitude of factors.

Although constructive criticism is good and helpful much that will be written will be personal and irrelevant. Once we face the reasons for the crushing defeat it will be much more important to contemplate what changes, are required to swing things our way at Old Trafford.

There is no doubt the toss was vital. In those conditions I don't think any side would have made 200 runs. Other than Sangakkara's suicidal stroke, the other top order batsmen were out due to the sustained pace attack which made capital of the prevailing conditions. When it was Sri Lanka's turn to bowl the salubrious conditions which helped England were just not there. But our bowlers helped England by wayward deliveries and a dose of uninspired captaincy. Since taking over the captaincy that probably was Sanath's worst showing.

I fully agree with Elmo Rodrigopulle's assessment of playing Murali. So I will not labour that point.

But there were some horrible performances. Though Zoysa bagged 3 wickets (at the tail-end), his bowling was lethargic and uninspired. I feel he should be rested provided Dilhara is declared fit to play. Chaminda Vaas as usual bowled his heart out: 14 overs on the trot is no easy call but he did us proud by that piece of accurate bowling. No doubt he will get his reward next time out.

The performance of Arnold is hard to comprehend. He is going through a bad patch and the selectors have to be in a quandary as to what they should do. They can drop him in favour of Samaraweera; or they can take a gamble and put him in at No. 3 and drop Sangakkara to the No. 6 spot. We are swapping two out of form batsmen and that is not a great idea except that Arnold an opening bat may come good given this challenge. He is a gutty player and deserves consideration. Sangakkara was spectacular as a wicket-keeper and that alone will save his head.

The Englishmen have not played even second string spinners with any authority. This therefore makes Upul Chandana a serious contender. He is a world class fielder, a decent leg-spinner and a ever improving batsman. I would have no hesitation in replacing Tillekeratne with Chandana.

If Dilhara is not fit, I would give Upashantha an opportunity. He is short on match practice, but he must have bowled enough at the nets to ensure being match fit. He can bat too and this is a bonus.

It should be remembered that in the past ten tests at Edgbaston the side batting first have lost every time! Old Trafford is easier to bat on. This is also the only Test ground in England that has helped the reverse swing because the outfield grass is very abrasive and scuffs the ball much more. May be this is where Vaas will reap his just rewards.

Here then is my team for the third Test in batting order: Jayasuriya, Attapattu, Arnold, Mahela, Aravinda, Sangakkara, Samaraweera, Vaas, Chandana, Upashantha, Buddhika/Dilhara.

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