One change expected for today's game

Chris Dhambarage

Sri Lanka are likely to make at least one change for their crucial fourth one day international against the touring Indian team which will be worked off under lights at the R. Premadasa Stadium today.

Sri Lanka are faced with a must win situation following their three wicket defeat in the third match at the same venue on Sunday. India currently lead the series 2-1 having also won the second one dayer in Dambulla.

Sri Lanka's solitary win in the five match series was recorded in the series opener where they triumphed by eight wickets in Dambulla last week. Sri Lanka now have their backs to the wall and need to win the remaining two games to complete a grand double following their 2-1 test series victory last month.

Sri Lanka were faced with a similar situation during last year's home series against England which they lost 2-3 after having won the first game. However they have not lost two successive one day international series at home and skipper Mahela Jayawardena will be determined to ensure that it does not happen.

Meanwhile selection committee sources revealed that Mahela Udawatte will probably open the batting with veteran Sanath Jayasuriya with Kumar Sangakkara dropping to number three in the order. Middle order batsman Chamara Silva who has been struggling for form in the recent past will be left out from the final eleven.

In fact Chamara Silva has scored just a solitary half century from his last 11 innings and in the current series he has made scores of 1 and 2 in the second and third one day international respectively.

In contrast left hander Mahela Udawatte has scored back to back fifties against the West Indies at Gross Islet and against the United Arab Emirates in the Asia Cup tournament in Pakistan recently.

The openers berth has been a major concern for the Sri Lankan team as they have gone through a total of twenty innings without a half century partnership against all top teams excluding against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. India of course will probably retain their winning combination and will be looking for a repeat performance from their fast bowlers.

Meanwhile Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have decided to open the gates at the R. Premadasa Stadium from 10.00 a.m for the remaining two one day internationals.