England have pride and top position to protect:

Jayawardena must tell his mates to be ruthless

ELMO Rodrigopulle

Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardena must tell his mates to be ruthless and go hard at the Englishmen when they meet in the Second Test starting at the picturesque P.Sara Stadium today.

The Lankans mauled the lions inside four days and by 75 runs in the First Test in Galle.

Now that they have the Englishmen gasping and on the ropes, they must deliver the knockout punch, that will also knock them down from the number one ranking in world cricket. The five-day Test which starts today will also be played on Friday which is an important day for both Buddhists and Christians. Friday is a Poya Day and Good Friday.

When asked, Secretary of Sri Lanka Cricket Nishantha Ranatunga said that the previous committee of SLC had arranged the dates, England had agreed and the Test will be continued on Friday.

Previous committee

To the Test and it is important for Sri Lanka to win this game and clean sweep the Two Test series. England will be playing for dear life. They have not only pride to protect, if they lose they also lose their number one ranking.

The wicket looks a good one. The P.Sara wicket has always played true and it should be no different this time round. It has been kept covered and there could be that early morning moisture and will have that early life. But as the game progresses, batsmen should revel. Generally a true wicket is batting friendly on the first three days, and then being spin friendly. However all depends on the prevailing conditions.

The side batting first should control the destinies of the game. Sri Lanka batted first in Galle and took charge of the Test and dominated it to finish it inside four days and win by 75 runs.

Solid start

The side winning the toss will not hesitate to bat first. A solid start from their openers, a formidable score from the batsmen following to consolidate and for the bowlers to take it from there and deliver should be the bottom line. With the England batsmen struggling against spin, to reiterate, Sri Lanka should have gone in with an extra spinner. With a dry wicket which would not help pace, an extra spinner to support Rangana Herath, Suraj Randiv and Tillakatratne Dilshan would have been a wise move.

Former skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan cannot keep failing as an opener. He must take on the responsibility and bat with intent and purpose and endeavour to give his side a good start with Lahiru Thirimanne.

Not acceptable

To play a suicidal shot, get out and say that, that’s his style is not acceptable. He must stay at the middle get a feel as to how the wicket is playing, follow the movement of the ball and then launch.

When he throws his wicket early he puts the onus on the batsmen following to build on.

The return of Angelo Mathews will strengthen the middle batting and also add life to the fielding, especially the catching which is so very important in big time cricket. Sri Lankan fielders must grab the half chances.

The Lankans must not take England easy. Although missing Stuart Broad, they have strong replacements in either Steven Finn or Tim Bresnan. Openers Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook are sadly out of form and will be determined to make big scores and make amends.

England (from): Andrew Strauss (Capt), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen, Ravi Bopara, Samit Patel, Matt Prior, James Anderson, Tim Bresnan, Steven Finn, Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann.

Sri Lanka (from): Mahela Jayawardena (Capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kumar Sangakkara, Thilan Samaraweera,. Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Prasanna Jayawardena, Suraj Randiv, Suranga Lakmal, Rangana Herath, Dhamika Prasad, Shaminda Eranga, Tharanga Paranawitana.

Umpires : Asad Rauff (Pak) and Bruce Oxenford (Aus)

TV umpire : Rod Tucker (Aus)

Match referee : Javagal Srinath (Ind)