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)
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