Cricket selectors up a gum tree

Elmo Rodrigopulle

The cricket selectors on tour here Mahela Jayawardena, coach Trevor Bayliss and Ranjit Madurasinghe are up a gum tree.

That is because they are in a dilemma, not knowing who to slot in and to push out, for the Second Test starting in Hobart on Friday.

It is vital that we win this Test and square the series. Another defeat and if it is by innings and inside five days would be unpalatable.

One thing is certain and that is that the sward of Damocales will be hanging over the heads of two of the most senior and experienced cricketers Sanath Jayasuriya and Chaminda Vaas.

That is because if Kumar Sangakkara and Michael Vandort opening the batting, in which case Jayasuriya would drop down or drop out completely.

If the selectors decide to bring in Lasith Malinga and there should be no doubt that, then Vaas who just missed getting the chop, will be benched.

If Jayasuriya and Vaas miss out, it would be sad and no doubt it could be the beginning of the end of the twosome who had served Sri Lanka cricket with pride and great success.

The Lankans came here with great expectations of chalking up their first Test victory on Australian soil. But sad to say the manner in which they played in Brisbane is an indication and if they do similarly here, then defeat would not be long in coming.

The selectors are also on lost street, not knowing whether to go in with seven batsmen and four bowlers, or six batsmen and five bowlers.

Anyway this is all speculation and the final playing eleven will be picked only after a very close look at the wicket on the morning of the match.

Jayawardena said that whatever the playing eleven they will approach this Test with a positive frame of mind, because winning is the bottom line.

When asked who will miss out to accommodate Sangakkara, the skipper said it would be Thilan Samaraweera. The cricketers had a net in the morning at the Bellrive Oval, and Sangakkara who came in for a close scrutiny, did not show any uneasiness or discomfort.

However he will undergo a witness Test in the morning before the selectors give him the nod.

With strong talk here that Muttiah Muralidaran could be tested during a Test and when asked for his comments, without batting an eye lid Jayawardena said if that is to be so, then all bowlers in world cricket should be tested.

‘It should be a level playing field’, he said.

The wicket is not a green top like it was at the Gabba, prominent being dry grass on the wicket.

The weather is warm and the sun is shining brightly. The Lankans love the sun on their backs to perform.

Bellrive Oval, Hobart, Wednesday