da esoccer bet： Seven days ago Sri Lanka were preparing for the opening Test in highspirits: the batsman had the luxury of having spent time in the middleduring the two warm-up games and fast bowlers were looking forward to plyingtheir trade on the more
Charlie Austin14-Nov-2002Seven days ago Sri Lanka were preparing for the opening Test in highspirits: the batsman had the luxury of having spent time in the middleduring the two warm-up games and fast bowlers were looking forward to plyingtheir trade on the more responsive pitches typical in South Africa.But a week is a long time in international cricket and after a crushinginnings and 64 run defeat at Wanderers, they have now lost their services oftheir leader, Sanath Jayasuriya, during the second Test at Centurion thatstarts Friday for the first time in a Test match since 1999.Jayasuriya damaged ligaments in his right ankle whilst warming up for netpractice playing football on Tuesday and is also in doubt for at least thefirst part of the one-day series that follows soon after this game.Muttiah Muralitharan, their premier bowler, is also struggling with ahernia, but, fortunately for Sri Lanka, he is currently pain free anddespite a swollen lower abdomen is expected to play a full part in the Testbefore undertaking surgery.Jayasuriya’s injury means that left-hander Jehan Mubarak, the only otherspecialist batsman available in a 17-man squad laden with fast bowlers, willplay his second Test match and open the innings with stand-in captain MarvanAtapattu.Russel Arnold, who bagged a pair at Wanderers as opener, edging into theslip cordon in both innings, will drop down into the middle order.Sri Lanka are also considering a change to their bowling attack. Left-armerRuchira Perera was banned from bowling in the first innings at Wanderersafter persistently running onto the danger area and the management arereluctant to risk a repeat performance at Centurion.One option is to pick wicket-keeper Prassana Jayawardene to take the loadoff Kumar Sangakkara at number three and go into the match with only fourfrontline fast bowlers. That would add depth to a frail looking lower orderbut the management have all but discounted such a move, preferring insteadthe option of four seamers and one spinner.Thus Chamila Lakshitha Gamage, a right-arm fast bowler who claimed a wicketwith his first ball in Test cricket when he made his debut againstBangladesh in July, is set to play his second Test.Sri Lanka will, at least, be pleased to see that the groundsman at Centurionhas ignored the South Africa’s preference for a well-grassed, quick surface.The mowers were pressed into action on Wednesday afternoon and the result isa brown, flat looking pitch that promises a fair contest between bat andball.However, no matter how the pitch behaves, acting captain Atapattu, takingcharge for the first time in a Test, is looking for his team to learn fromthe mistakes made at Wanderers.”We did so many things wrong in the first Test and we are trying to put themright,” said Atapattu. “We have discussed where we went wrong and we willtry out utmost to correct that in the next match.”As a batsman, once you get a start you have to go on, especially inconditions like these which we are not very used to – hopefully we will putit right this time.”He doesn’t expect it to be easy, however: “We know what we are up againstand the task that we face. Whatever the pitch we have to do the basicsright.”And he doesn’t want the players dwell over the loss of Jayasuriya: “It is agreat loss but we have to understand that these things are going to happenfrom time to time. We have got to keep our heads high and perform.”A frontrunner for the captaincy should Jayasuriya decide to handover thereins after the World Cup, he is looking forward to the challenge of leadingthe side: “It is a great privilege to captain your country and I enjoy it.It is a bit different for me half way through the tour but hopefully I willhandle it well.”Likely Eleven:Marvan Atapattu (Capt), Jehan Mubarak, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jaywardene,Russel Arnold, Hashan Tillakaratne, Hasantha Fernando, Chaminda Vaas,Dilhara Fernando, Chamila Gamage Lakshitha, Muttiah Muralitharan.