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| Friday, 21 November 2003 |
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Lankan spinners to torment England by Chris Dhambarage The visiting England cricket team already under pressure are in for another surprise when they confront Sri Lanka in the second day night one day international at the R. Premadasa Stadium today. After the Englishmen were bowled out for their second lowest one day international total at Dambulla, they will now be tormented by spin bowling on a typical slow wicket at Khettarama. Both teams were uncertain about the prevailing weather conditions which could really spoil the game. England and Sri Lanka had their final preparations at the R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday but a heavy shower followed immediately, which mean that there could be a delayed start to the game. England are forced to make at least one change to their team because fast bowler James Anderson has been ruled out with an ankle injury. His absence no doubt may be causing great concern in the England team which need to win today's match if they are to stay alive in the one day series. Sri Lankan skipper Marvan Atapattu said that they would probably play the same eleven which performed in the first one day international at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. He said that the two newcomers Dinusha Fernando and Nuwan Kulasekera are showing great potential and have turned out to be the ideal replacements for the injured Prabath Nissanka and Dilhara Fernando. Sri Lankan coach John Dyson was quite pleased with the start his team have made to the one day series and hoped that they would continue with the good work. However he warned his team that this England team is a talented one and they could bounce back at any time with a vengeance. The Lankans who have already gained a psychological advantage by winning the first one day, are certain to make good use of the wicket which has always helped the slow bowlers. If the fast bowlers played a dominant role in the first one dayer this time it will be the other way around where Muttiah Muralitharan and Upul Chandana are likely to dominate the proceedings. Muralitharan of course picked up just a solitary wicket in the first one dayer but when he came out to bowl the game was almost over after England had lost half of their side for 36 runs. With Upul Chandana and Sanath Jayasuriya completing the line up England are certain to face more than 25 overs of spin bowling which will make their task even more difficult. But above all the Sri Lankan pacemen are even more keen to produce a repeat performance even though the conditions will be somewhat different to first one dayer. Now that Dinusha Fernando and Nuwan Kulasekera have made an impressive debut they will be hoping to cement their place in the Sri Lankan side with another encouraging performance. The manner in which they destroyed the England batting line up the other day was quite amazing and they need all the back up support to carry on with the good work. England of course did not know what hit them in the first one dayer on Tuesday and after a break of two days they seem to be still recovering from that humilation. |
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