Can Sri Lanka win the two test matches in Australia?

Rev. Bro, Nimal Gurusinghe, FSC

Can our lads win the two test matches in Australia? It is a million dollar question our team has never won a test match on Australian soil Winning a test match against the Kangaroos is not going to be an easy task, especially in their own den.

Presently they are world champions on both versions of the game namely test and one day.

If Sri Lanka wants to topple the mighty Aussies they have to put their heart and soul and play. Each player must give his hundred percent to the team.

When we look at Ausies, they appear to be like a weak side without McGrath and Shane Warne.

But they have ample replacements for those two players.

Whenever they come to the field they give their best to the team and play like one united group. I have noticed that Kangaroos are real fighters. They will never give up a match until, the last ball is bowled. Therefore for Sri Lanka it is going to be a real test.

I feel we have the talent and ability to dictate terms to world champions. If every player plays according to his maximum potential we will be able to win these test matches.

If our batsmen learn to play swing bowling well, half the battle is won. I am sorry to say our talented cricketers have not learnt to bat on fast tracks and their tendency is to resort to swing bowling.

They have the tendency to chase the out side the off stump balls and throw their wickets.

If our cricketers can overcome this problem we are sure to put up a good score on the board.

During this tour I am sure that Australia will not prepare wickets to suit the spin bowlers.

They are determined not to allow Muralitharan to break Shane Warne's record on their own soil definitely they will prepare pitches to suit fast bowlers. So our pacemen should deliver goods. They should bowl their hearts out to restrict the Australian batsmen to modest totals.

Generally our fielding is of very high standard but real rest comes when you are playing the game, especially when you are under pressure. If they take every catch and run out that comes their way Aussies will find it difficult to score runs.

As a result they might panic and throw their wickets.

At last Marvan Atapattu is in the tour party.

Hope he will find his form and contribute some thing substantial with his bat to the team. After a lapse of years it is not easy to come back to your form especially with Australians in their country. Marvan here is a challenge for you.

Prove your worth and answer your critics.

Our lion hearted cricketers if you play the game well like a united team according to your potential I am sure you can beat the mighty Kangaroos in front of their cricket fans.