Positive cricket should bring back spectators - Sangakkara

Chris Dhambarage

Newly appointed Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara vowed to produce result oriented entertaining cricket during the forthcoming home test series against Pakistan.

The stylish left hander made these observations during the launching ceremony of the Mobitel Cup three Test series between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at the Hotel Taj Samudra yesterday.

Sangakkara said that it will be a tough task for his team to readjust themselves from Twenty20 cricket to the longer version of the game in a short period of time. But he believes playing positive cricket is the only way that they could bring back the crowds to watch test cricket in this region.

Sangakkara stressed the importance of his batsmen occupying the crease for a longer period and the bowlers getting used to sending down long spells under different conditions.

The Sri Lankan captain said that regular wicket keeper Prasanna Jayawardena has been ruled out for the opening test match with a fractured finger. In addition the two fast bowlers Lasith Malinga and Chaminda Vaas too have been left out for this series.

Sangakkara said that Malinga has not fully recovered to play in a test match but he will be included in the one day squad for the five match one day international series which will commence on July 30.

Sangakkara further noted that promising wicket keeper batsman Kaushal Silva has been brought in to the test squad following the injury of Prasanna Jayawardena.

However with all rounder Angelo Mathews also in contention for a place they are yet to finalise the test combination and has kept the options open until the start of the match on Saturday.

Meanwhile Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam said that his players’ fitness will be the key factor for his teams success in the test series which will be followed by the one day international series.

Alam who guided Pakistan to win the World Twenty20 title in England last week said that the biggest problem for them will be the hot climate and to maintain fitness is very important.

The former Pakistan captain said that Sri Lanka is hot and in such a climate the fitness is tested so they will have to put a stress on fitness, which will play an important role.

The Pakistan coach also noted that Sri Lanka have two quality spinners in Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis but their batting is good and hope that they would take up the challenge in playing these two world-class spinners.