Exciting days ahead - Sangha

Chris DHAMBARAGE

Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara is confident that they could build up a consistent batting line up in their attempt to win a Test series for the first time on Indian soil.

The Sri Lankan team will play three Test matches in Ahmedabad, Kanpur and Mumbai from November 16 which will be followed by two Twenty20 matches and a five match one day international series.

The stylish left hander noted that in the past few years they have made several experimentations with the entire batting order with players being promoted and shifted in the line up. Sangakkara believes that if they could sort out this problem early in the tour and stick to the best combination then they could look forward to an exciting series and have a very good chance of creating history. The Sri Lankan captain emphasised the teams main priorities as there should be no complaints from the players in regard to any situations both on and off the field.

He said that the players need to realise their specific goals at every situation and should be able to reach their targets for the overall success of the team.

Sangakkara also pointed out that promising players like Thilina Kandamby and Kaushal Silva are likely to make their Test debut during this series. In fact wicket keeper batsman Kaushal Silva will probably open the batting ahead of Tharanga Paranavithana.

The Sri Lankan captain said that most international teams are concentrating in including a specialist batsman as their wicket keeper and intend to have five bowlers in the line up.

Sangakkara also accepted that the teams fielding standards had declined in the recent past but the presence of new fielding coach Gavin Fingelson have helped the players to fine tune and given them the extra advantage in this vital department.