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Sa'adi Thawfeeq reporting from Galle

GALLE, Monday - The battle lines have been drawn for an absorbing Test series between Sri Lanka and England starting at the Galle International Stadium, which has now traditionally become the venue for the first Test of a series.

The reason for such a move is quite evident because Galle has turned out to be the favourite hunting ground for Sri Lanka. There is nothing like starting a three-Test series with a win and Sri Lanka's record at Galle confirms that. They have lost just once in eight Tests (to Pakistan in 2000) and won six, the last five on the trot against South Africa, England, India, West Indies and Zimbabwe.

Winning the first Test at Galle, has not always guaranteed Sri Lanka of a series victory as they found out for themselves in 2000 against South Africa and a year later against England. Sri Lanka drew the series against South Africa and lost it against England.

For a winning result to be reached, the fickle weather pattern will have to change. It was bright and sunny today with no hint of rain, but the outfield was wet and muddy as a result of a heavy downpour on Sunday afternoon.

Galle District CA curator Jayananda Warnaweera said that the boundary lines have been reduced to 70 yards to avoid the muddy areas in the outfield and to ensure maximum play. He said if there was no heavy downpour last night, play could start on time at 10.30 a.m. tomorrow.

The toss

England captain Michael Vaughan said the toss will be crucial, but Sri Lanka's Australian-born coach John Dyson thinks otherwise.

"It is an important toss here. I think everyone realises that. I don't think I will be that popular if I lose the toss on Tuesday morning", said Vaughan.

"It is nice to win the toss and decide what you like to do first. But I don't think it will be vital," said Dyson. "The conditions look very similar to last time we were here, considering the amount of rain there has been, the pitch looks very dry," said Vaughan. "There is not much grass on it. This is a unique place to play cricket where spin comes into the game from the first morning," he said.

Vaughan said that England are considering going into the Test with three spinners. That has not happened to them since 1987 in Pakistan. "We are going to have to consider all options. On a wicket like this, it could definitely favour three full-time spinners. If we play three spinners, then Freddie (Flintoff) will have to open the bowling," said Vaughan. "I don't think the wicket will change too much before the game so we will try to make a decision on the best formula for this wicket and against this opposition," he said. Vaughan even hinted that Rikki Clarke who made his Test debut against Bangladesh is an option. "He has definitely got a chance. Who is to say that Ricky may not open the bowling," Vaughan said.

Major worry

If England have a major worry it is in the bowling department.

"It's important that we put up a good showing, but we have to be realistic. We are very experienced in the batting department but inexperienced in the bowling. The last time we came here, (Darren) Gough, (Andy) Caddick and (Craig) White were outstanding. We don't have any of them this time," said Vaughan.

"So we have to be a bit lenient on the seam bowlers. You are coming out here to bowl against the likes of (Sanath) Jayasuriya and (Marvan) Atapattu for the first time. "It's going to be tough but we are going into the series to put Sri Lanka under pressure because, as we showed last time, they can fold", said Vaughan.

Vaughan said that he saw no problem with onfield relations with the opposition. "I don't think there will be a problem. We want to play it hard and fair. A bit of banter on the pitch is good for the game as long as you don't go over the line and start swearing and getting into each other," said Vaughan. The last series played in Sri Lanka brought forth a lot of acrimony between the two sides.

Sri Lanka coach Dyson said that Sri Lanka's chance of beating England was 'very good'.

"The boys have trained and practiced well and they have been in good form. They showed in Dambulla in the one-dayers that they are very keen to get on the park and play cricket. I am confident they will play well," said Dyson.

"We are starting to settle into a good team. The team spirit is excellent. Obviously, the win in Dambulla helped that. Everyone is keen and hungry to play", he continued. Dyson said that history has it that Sri Lanka play extremely well at Galle. "Statistically, the record of their players is very impressive in Galle.

Provided they carry the form they've shown in the nets, practice sessions and Premier tournament into the Test arena, I think they will do very well," he said. Dyson said that having gone through the tapes of the 2001 series, he had come to a conclusion that England didn't play Muralitharan easily the last time they were here. "They had a hard time against him as most batsmen in the world do.

Very few players don't have a hard time against Murali. Murali thinks and works extremely hard at his game. I expect Murali will come good in this match and give England a hard time as usual," said Dyson.

"The pitch traditionally turns in Galle and the number of wickets that spinners take here has proved that to be true. By all accounts it is dry. There's not a huge amount of grass on it. But it looks okay. This series will be quite hard fought," he said.

Dyson said that rain has not been so much of a problem in their preparations for the series, but it was disappointing from the point of view of the players and the public. Sri Lanka are due to hand a Test cap to fast bowler Dinusha Fernando and unleash three spinners at England - Muralitharan, Dharmasena and Chandana. The sixth batting position remains a contest between Thilan Samaraweera and Romesh Kaluwitharana.

The teams: Sri Lanka (from): Hashan Tillkaratne (captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Marvan Ataputtu, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera/Romesh Kaluwitharana, Upul Chandana, Chaminda Vaas, Kumar Dharmasena, Dinusha Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan.

England (from): Michael Vaughan (captain), Marcus Trescothick, Mark Butcher, Naseer Hussain, Graham Thrope, Andrew Flintoff, Rikki Clarke/Richard Johnson, Chris Read, Ashely Giles, Gareth Batty, Matthew Hoggard.

Umpires: Sirinivas Venkatraghavan (India) and Daryl Harper (Australia), TV umpire: Gamini Silva (Sri Lanka), Match Referee: Clive Lloyd (West Indies).

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