Sanga’s fitness the main worry

Elmo Rodrigopulle reporting from Australia

The Sri Lankan cricketers arrived in Hobart exuding confidence and promising to do better than what they did in the First Test in Brisbane.

The team arrived in Hobart in the evening, and have requested for net on Wednesday and Thursday.

At the nets they will try to study the mistakes they made in Brisbane and put it right and altogether out in the middle at the Bellrive Oval, where the second test begins.

The wicket is expected to be friendly to both batsmen and bowlers. And as such it is hoped that the Lankans would hit back and not surrender like they did in Brisbane. But the one worry for the Lankan management is batsman Kumar Sangakkara.

Sangakkara who had the misfortune of suffering his injury in Adelaide during the practice game, is recovering nicely and it hoped that when selection time comes around, he would be available.

According to skipper Mahela Jayawardene, Sangakkara has been getting match fit, doing his running between the wickets and generally moving about without much discomfort.

If Sangakkara is fully fit, then his selection would be automatic and whom to leave out would be the headache of the selectors Jayawardena, Bayliss and Ranjit Madurusinghe. Sangakkara who is quick of feet and with a good eye is a batsman who could face up to the Aussie pace and spin and give it back to them.

In addition he has the temperament for the big occasion and his presence in the team, would raise the levels of the other players.

Jayawardena said that they have still not decided on whom to play and again it would depend on the weather and the wicket. ‘We will have a close look in the morning and then decide how we will go’, said Jayawardene with a twinkle in his eye.

Jayawardene is hoping that the players would put all other distractions and focuss on the job ahead, because another loss, and if it is by innings, a complete rethink on every aspect of the game would be a necessity.

Jayawardene also revealed that the Atapattu affair has not gone to upset the atmosphere in the dressing room and as for him he has no problems with the opening batsman.

Although not publicly admitting it, the consensus is that the players privately agree with Atapattu who has been at loggerheads with the selectors for several months.

Atapattu will be available for selection in Hobart and Jayawardene said they would love to have him with them, thus hitting for six the belief here that he would be sent home.