Bad weather threatens Gabba Test

Elmo Rodrigopulle reporting

If the present rain and the dark clouds don’t soon roll by, then I am afraid not much cricket will be played in the First Test between Australia and Sri Lanka beginning at the Gabba, tomorrow.

If that happens then it would be a sad end to a Test that promises so much. Incidentally the Gabba is famous for playing the first ever tied Test in the Game’s history when Australia led by Richie Benaud and West Indies captained by Sir Frank Worrell performed the cricketing miracle in the 1960/61 series.

The unseasonal weather is expected to stay put here for the next three days and it would be frustrating to all it there are ‘stat, stops’ in the Test.

The wicket has been covered and I took a walk on the ground and it does not seem that wet, because there is a wonderful draining system installed that soaks up the water very quickly.

Skipper Mahela Jayawardena at a press briefing named the 12 and said that they would decide on whom to be benched after having a look at the weather and the wicket on the morning of the match.

‘We do not fear the Aussies. True they are a strong team without Glen McGrath, Shane Warne and Justin Langer. But we are not unduly worried. All depends on how you put it all together out in the middle that matters’, said the Sri Lankan skipper exuding confidence.

Jayawardena further said that he is aware that the Gabba pitch has bounce and carry and they will have a discussion whether they will play four pacemen and one spinner.

The Lankan 12; Mahela Jayawardena (capt), Sanath Jayasuriya, Marvan Atapattu, Michael Vandort, Chamara Silva, Thilan Samaraweera, Farveez Maharoof, Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Muralitharan, Prasanna Jayawardena, Lasith Malinga and Dilhara Fernando.

The gut feeling is that Samaraweera could be the odd man out.

Jayawardena also said that they had not decided whether they were going to have a bowl or bat first. ‘It is a bit of a worry. But we’ll see how the coin turns’, said the skipper.

The Lankan top order must deliver. They failed miserably in the game against Queensland, and if they repeat then the Test could well end inside the distance.

Jayawardena said that he has one of the best bowling attacks in the game, and if the bowlers are to strike, then they must have the runs on the board. It has now come to pass that if Sanath Jayasuriya does not wave his magic wand and hypnotise the Aussie bowlers, that the Lankan batting folds up without much resistance. It is hoped that Jayasuriya would come good on the big occasion.

The Lankans would do well to bat first and endeavour to post a formidable total from where their strike force of Vaas, Malinga, Fernando, Mahroof and Muralitharan can take over.

Kevin Mitchell the curator says that the wicket that was dug up last year would see some early pace and bounce and then settle down to a good batting strip.

Jayawardena also said that they would not be worried of the Aussie spectators and their taunts as long as they do not step over the line.

Cricket Australia has put in place a system that would not allow any spectator to go racist.

If the weather turns good, then watch out for some cricket luvr’ly cricket at the Gabba where I saw it.

The Gabba, Brisbane, Wednesday