Lankans determined to bounce back

It was only a few weeks ago that Zimbabwe humiliated Sri Lanka's batting during the five-match one day international series in Harare. Though the tourists won series comfortably, it was Zimbabwe which exposed all the loopholes and limitations in Lankan batting, which was in total disarray.

All at sea

Sri Lankan batsmen failed to score even a 200-run total in any of their five one day international against Zimbabwe, which hardly has a penetrative bowling attack. But even against that moderate Zimbabwe bowling attack, Sri Lanka batsmen were all at sea and painted a poor picture.

Sri Lanka team will be touring Bangladesh with those worrying memories but Mahela Jayawardena and his lads are determined to bounce back during their month-long tour of Bangladesh.

Unfortunately, Sri Lanka has been compelled to play against the minnows of world cricket in back to back series. Sri Lanka will be at a disadvantageous position when they play regularly against weak opponents.

Weakest sides

Bangladesh and Zimbabwe are the weakest sides in world cricket and if the 'survival is the name of the game' when playing against such wooden spoonists, we wonder how Sri Lanka is going to fare against the heavyweights in the big league.

Nevertheless, the recent series in Harare has done some good for Sri Lanka cricket as Zimbabwe has exposed limitations in our batting. Despite regular opportunities, young batsmen such as Upul Tharanga and Chamara Kapu-gedara have failed to deliver even against one of the weakest bowling attacks in the world. Surprisingly, Kapugedara has got another chance against yet another weak opponent.

Instead of retaining such off colour players, the selectors should have given fresh opportunities to a couple of budding cricketers. Since Sri Lanka will be playing against a relatively weak opponent, it's the ideal change to experiment with young blood.

Bangladesh would make every endeavour to continue from where Zimbabwe left. Definitely, Bangladesh would have done their home work and made a careful study of how the Lankan batsmen failed in Zimbabwe. Under the, circumstances, the Bengali Tigers would definitely look ferocious in their

own den.

Perhaps, that may be the reason that the Lankan captain had said that the upcoming Test and ODI series in Bangladesh will be taken "very seriously" given the lack of international cricket for Sri Lanka team.

Very seriously

The Sri Lanka captain has said they are approaching the series in Bangladesh 'very seriously'. Bangladesh has come a long way, especially during the latter half of this year. On the other hand, Sri Lanka will be starved of international cricket for more than four months after the conclusion of the Bangladesh tour in mind next month.

Despite playing against two of the weakest teams in the world, Sri Lanka will be under pressure in the three-nation tournament which will be played after the two Tests against Bangladesh. Having narrowly lost the last three games in the five-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe would

make every endeavour to pull off a morale boosting victory.

Feeling the pressure

It is obvious that the Lankan team is feeling the pressure with their new bowling sensation Ajantha Mendis ruled out of the tour due to an injury. "We are going to Bangladesh with an open mind. Obviously the challenge for us collectively is to adjust to the different conditions and play to the best of our ability. If we can execute that plan I do not see any reason

why we cannot emerge victorious," Jayewardena was quoted as saying. That alone shows the amount of pressure that is building up.

The Lankan captain has said that he cannot judge the batting based on one series. Very true! He has stated their batting was 'a bit disappointing'. But we can't agree to that as the Lankan batting was a big disappointment. The wickets we played on in Zimbabwe were under-prepared," said Jaya-wardena. Jayewardena has also stated that the people need to understand that every time they go out, they cannot post a 300-plus score.

Gigantic task

But he should also understand that even 300 plus is not a gigantic task at all, when one considers the inexperience and limitations in the bowling departments of their opponents. If the local fans are expecting Sri Lanka team to put 300 plus regularly against teams such as Australia and South Africa, then it would be unfair. It is not over expectations by local fans but the failure of our batsmen.

Sri Lanka definitely depends heavily on veteran opener Sanath Jayasuriya who returns to the team after a domestic stint in South Africa. Jayasiriya's presence alone is going to be a morale booster for the tourists and the master blaster is capable of making his willow to talk loud.

Positive sign

Despite being omitted from the one-day squad, left-arm paceman Chaminda Vass has indicated that he will fight for his place. It is a positive sign and the veteran quick bowler is capable of earning his place. Undoubtedly, Vass is a major asset to any team and his contribution to Sri Lanka team has been immense.

As skipper Jayawardena has emphasised, the greatest challenge facing Sri Lanka in Bangladesh is adjusting to the conditions and the pitches as quickly as possible. Sri Lanka's success would mainly depend on how soon they would adjust to the wickets in Bangladesh. Sri Lanka has a superior side on paper and should not worry too much. What Sri Lanka needed to do now, as pointed out by Jayawardena, was not put too much pressure on them and play their normal game.