Archives

Ranjan Anandappa reporting from South Africa

The count down has begun for the World Cup and a carnival atmosphere should prevail at Johannesburg when Sri Lanka and South Africa meet each other in the first of the five one day Internationals at the Wanderers Park today.

The match will be a day game and starts at 2.00 pm Sri Lanka time.

While the players of both teams undergo a severe endurance test with the World Cup just three months away the city of Johannesburg and the cricket World Cup officials will test security systems for the big sporting event.

According to local news paper reports that some residents of the area are hugely unhappy about disruptions they will face and to add to their dismay , a dirt road has been cleared to facilitate parking facilities.

South Africa will take the field today minus their dynamic fielder and batsman Jonty Rhodes who has still not recovered from his hamstring injury. "Rhodes loss is a big blow for us,his presence in the field is a boon to us." Said Pollock.

"We will be playing 10 one day games at a row, five against Sri Lanka and another five against Pakistan, and these games will be a build up for the all important event."

He admitted that Sri Lanka is a tough side to beat although we defeated them 5-1 last time. Sri Lanka has made a few changes in their batting order. Jehan Mubarak is tipped to open the innings with Sanath Jayasuriya while Atapattu will bat at number three. Wicket keeper Kumar Sangakkara will bat at number five or six to bolster the middle order.

Russel Arnold will have to fight it out with Hashan Tillekeratne while either Hashantha Fernando or Prabath Nissanka should get the nod for the fourth pacemen's place.

"We are not perturbed by the 65 run defeat in the game against the South African 'A' side at Potchefstrom. We wanted to give the new chaps a chance." Said Jayasuriya.

"Maybe we lacked the bowlers in the end, but the combination you saw over the week end will be totally different to the one in the first one dayer. added Jayasuriya.

Teams - Sri Lanka - Sanath Jayasuriya (Captain,)Jehan Mubarak, Marvan Atapattu, Mahela Jayawardena, Aravinda de Silva, Kumar Sangakkara, Russel Arnold, Hashan Tillekeratne, Hashantha Fernando, Chaminda Vaas, Dilhara Fernando, Pulathy Gunaratne, Prabath Nissanka, Upul Chadana.

South Africa - Shuan Pollock (Captain), Hershell Gibbs, Greame Smith, Nicky Boje, Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher, Allan Donald, Justin Ontong, Makhaya Ntini, Andrew Hall, Mondi Zondeki, Boeta Dippenaar.

Umpires. Russel Tiffin (Zimbabwe) and Brian Jerling (South Africa).

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager