Lankans leave looking for those elusive dreams

ELMO RODRIGOPULLE

A determined Sri Lankan cricket team will leave today looking for those elusive dreams against Australia in Australia.

Sri Lanka are slated to play two Test matches and two warm-up games. The first Test will be at the Gabba in Brisbane and the second at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart, Tasmania. The first warm-up game is in Adelaide and the second at the Allan Border Field in Queensland.

It is better late than never it is said, and it would not be wrong to question Sri Lanka Cricket and ask them as to why they opted for two Tests and not three?

Playing two Tests would make no sense. It would have been sensible to ask for three. Anyway that is what the SLC has settled for and that is it.

Another pertinent question to ask the SLC is: Why did they not ask for a Test in Melbourne where there is a large contingent of Sri Lankans who would have been there to cheer the cricketers on?

The startling news in the cricket scene is the last minute inclusion of former skipper and opening batsman Marvan Atapattu.

To the credit of Atapattu it must be said that he should have been in the original squad and not an afterthought. When the selectors wanted to meet him and discuss things, he should have obliged and not been stubborn. Had Atapattu pocketed his pride, things could have been settled amicably and there would not have been any kind of ill feeling.

Anyway now that Atapattu would be on the plane, it is hoped that he would find form so that the tour selectors could slot him in.

Speaking to the Daily News, skipper Mahela Jayawardena who welcomed Atapattu's inclusion said that they would be looking to be competitive. "If we could compete with the Aussies, then there is no reason why we should not do well and in the process come back having recorded our first Test victory on Australian soil.

"Not only will we be looking for that first Test triumph, we would also be looking to give Muttiah Muralitheran that all important wicket so that be becomes the highest wicket taker in Test cricket."

Muralitheran needs nine more wickets to go past the famous leg spinning sensation Shane Warne.

The Aussies will miss the great Glen McGrath, Shane Warne, Justin Langer and Damien Martyn. But they have replacements who could fill the void.

We would not like to name names. But if every individual believes and performs and plays true to form, there is no reason why the team should not return with their colours up and their heads held high after having stuffed the kangaroos and also giving Muralitheran the world bowling record.

The recent bickerings, where allegations and counter allegations have been traded would have had an upsetting effect on the cricketers. One hopes that once the team lands in Australia, they would forget every thing else and concentrate on the cricket ahead.

Skipper Mahela Jayawardena has been steering the cricketing ship with great skill and dexterity and with his soothing influence could coax the men to do better.

It is apparent that there are a few chinks in the team. But now that the squad has been selected, it is best that it remains that way. However we make bold to say that the best have not been selected.

The wickets at the Gabba in Brisbane and the Bellrive Oval should be conducive to the bowlers and batsman and a good game of cricket can be expected.

Jayawardena and his men take with them the best wishes of all cricket fans and let them repay that trust and confidence placed in them by coming back 'joyful and triumphant' like in the words of that Christmas perennial - 'Oh come all ye faithful'.