Alleged ball tampering by Aussies

ELMO Rodrigopulle reporting from Australia

There was a bit of controversy during the Sri Lankan chase for victory in the second innings when two prominent Australians were noticed allegedly tampering with the ball. Now this is a serious matter and we understand that the Sri Lankan management had brought this ugly side of the game to the notice of the match referee.

The players were seen trying to up the seam using their fingers so as to give undue advantage to their bowlers. What will ensure from here will be interesting to watch. It is hoped that an inquiry will be held and that if the story is true appropriate action will be taken and the culprits exposed. According to Rangana Herath who had another haul of 5 wickets in the Australian second innings and faced the media in the post match press briefing, if the Lankans can safely negotiate the first session without losing wickets, there is no reason why Sri Lanka can’t win their First ever Test on Australian soil.

Herath also said that he was delighted and it was an achievement to take 5 wickets for the first time playing in Australia. ‘The wicket had spin and bounce on it and I varied my deliveries to lure the Australian batsmen, he said.

According to Herath the wicket is an up and down one and if Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayewardene, Angelo Mathews and Prasanna Jayewardene bat as we know they can, victory should come sometime tomorrow. Sangakkara and Jayewardeme did well to play down some fiery pace from Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle, Shane Watson and the biting off spin of Nathan Lyon and survive.

Bellerive Oval, Hobart, Monday.