Jayewardene reiterates he is quitting as captain:

Win toss and bat first, says Bellerive Oval curator

Elmo Rodrigopulle reporting from Australia

'The team winning the toss should bat'. That was the message the curator of the Bellerive Oval, Marcus Pamplin had in brief interview he gave the media, just close to the wicket while still preparing it for the First Test between Sri Lanka and Australia beginning, tomorrow.

I was the only Sri Lankan journalist at that briefing and had the opportunity of having a first-hand look at the pitch. It is green which means that it will help the seam bowlers early on.

A bit of rain has been predicted for day two, but it should not spoil the Test. Indications are that the Test may not last the full distance.

That is because Cricket Australia has not printed tickets for the final day which is funny.

Difficult first session

The team batting first will find it difficult in the first session. The wicket is expected to settle down thereafter and be good to the batsmen. The outfield looks lush green and should be fast.

When questioned further about the wicket he said that he has been working hard on it since August and it has settled down well and allayed all fears, saying that runs could be made on it with the right approach.

Facing the media later before having a net, Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayewardene when questioned about the wicket said that it looks a sporting one, but he had still not decided whether to bat or bowl first.

Wicket and conditions

'That decision will be made only after having a look at the wicket and the conditions before the toss', he said. As for opening the batting with left hander Dimuth Karunaratne in only his Second Test, the skipper said he deserved his place and he was happy the way he batted at the Manuka Oval in the practice game.

'Although our bowlers don't carry that much pace, if they bowl good line and length, we should have a good chance of containing the strong Australian batting. Our batters should look to post a formidable score and give our bowlers a chance to work on the Australian batsmen', he said.

Sri Lanka's number one 50-over and Twenty20 bowler Lasith Malinga rocked the Aussie cricket world when in a blistering spell not seen here before, he captured 6 wickets for 7 runs in 4 overs to help Melbourne Stars bundle out Perth Scorchers for 69 and help them to a 10-wicket win in a Big Bash game.

Respect Malinga's decision

When questioned on that magic spell and whether there were moves to bring him back to Test cricket Jayewardene said: 'Well he has decided to play the shorter version of the game and we must respect that.'He has delivered for us in the shorter versions of the game. He was prone to injury and that is probably why he decided to quit the longer version. About 15 months ago when he was nursing an injury, doubts were there whether he would ever play again.

'But he recovered well, and it would not be fair to ask him to risk his career by playing in the longer version where he would have to bowl plenty of overs', said Jayewardene.

Jayewardene reiterates quitting

Jayewardene reiterated that this Three Test series against Australia will be his last as captain. 'I took on the job for 12 months when Sri Lanka cricket was in bad shape. When the selectors asked me, I could not say no.

'I said only 12 months. I have done my duty by the game and country and now it is time to move on'. He suggested that it should be Angelo Matthews who should be given the job. 'He is young and promising and while Kumar Sangakkara, Tillekeratne Dilshan and I am around, it could be a good learning curve for him'. Bellerive Oval, Horbart, Thursday.