Teams take the field with confidence

First Digicel Test in Guyana:

Elmo RODRIGOPULLE from West Indies

Captains Mahela Jayawardena of Sri Lanka and Chrys Gayle of West Indies exuded confidence ahead of the first Digicel Test match starting at the National Stadium in Guyana on Saturday.

An analysis of the teams shows that the Lankans are fielding the more experienced team, while the Windies are fronting up some new faces.

However the bottom line will be how they do it out in the middle. The team playing the better cricket would come out the victors.

As usual the teams have delayed naming their final elevens until they have a look at the wicket before play begins.

Speaking to Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardena he said: The wicket looks okay. But should get slower and slower as the game progresses’, he said.

‘Winning of the toss could prove vital’, said the skipper

With the home team naming two spinners in their side, it is possible that the wicket could be spin friendly. If it plays that way, then Muttiah Muralitheran will have a big role to play.

The Lankans had a good workout in a practice game, with batsmen Malinda Warnapura, the skipper, Chamara Silva, Tillekeratne Dilshan and wicket- keeper Prasanna Jayawardena striking it rich.

Warnapura was the most impressive and exciting as he notched a three figure mark in the first innings and a half century in the second. Dilshan too was enterprising and his century could not have come at a better time. While the batsmen had a good outing, of the bowlers, left-arm spinner Rangana Herath came into the frame with a tantalising spell where he grabbed six wickets in the first innings.

It is possible that the Lankans would go in with two spinners and two pacemen, or after a look at the wicket, one spinner and three pacemen.

Indications are that Rangana Herath could be hard to keep out after his telling performance with the ball. In the past the Windies have relied on brute pace to undo the opponents.

But this time round they have named two young and promising spinners in Suleimen Benn (left arm spin) and Amith Jaggernath (off spin), which could give an indication how the wicket would play.

It would be interesting to watch whether the Windies would fire pace with Fidel Edwards, Jerome Taylor or Darren Powell.

The Windies would be hoping that Gayle, Sarwan and Chanderpaul get into the run making act. They are the Windies’ most exciting and punishing batsmen and a treat to watch when on the go.

Sarwan and Chanderpaul have been in the runs in the Carib Beer Series and would be looking to take that form into the Test.

Also expected to be among the runs are opener Sewnarine Chatter goon and allrounder Ryan Hinds. Chattergoon is an exciting and quick scoring left hander much in the mould of the explosive Chrys Gayle.

The teams are keen and geared up to play what the game is all about and if the wicket plays true, then a Test match to be lapped up is on the cards.