Lanka still undecided on final team for Test

Elmo Rodrigopulle

The Sri Lankan cricketers are still uncertain as to who will play and who will not, even on the eve of the Second and Final Test against Australia, beginning at the picturesque Bellrive Oval, here tomorrow.

The uncertainty hinges on the final fitness Test of Kumara Sangakkara. He will undergo the test on the morning of the match and until then the Lankans will not name their playing eleven.

At the time of writing there is only a lot of speculation as to who will play and who will not. But how I look at it is that Lasith Malinga would come in for Chaminda Vaas, with Thilan Samaraweera stepping aside for Sanath Jayasuriya to bat in his slot. The consensus is that Sangakkara will play and bat No 3.

But selectors the world over act in mysterious ways, and it will not be any different with the Lankan selectors here on tour who could juggle and come out with a surprise or two.

As for the Lankans it is a must win situation. Not to do so would mean to gift the Warne-Muralitharan trophy to the Aussies on a platter.

At a press briefing, skipper Mahela Jayawardena said that, he has asked his team mates to remain focussed, and above all to believe in themselves, because if they believe and stay focussed, they could upset the Aussies.

‘The wicket seems drier than when I looked at it yesterday. They had watered the wicket on Wednesday, and it did not look that inviting. But it is a lot drier now and looks a good wicket’, said Jayawardena.

He also admitted that no expert has yet been found who could say exactly how the wicket would play. They can only do some guess work. Once the game begins that one could say how it would play, he said.

I had a look at the wicket myself, and it looks a good one to bat first. Only a captain not in his proper senses would want to ask the other side in.

There will always be the little fizz off the wicket and the new ball with its seam on it will tend to wobble. Good technique and a straight bat and being in line would blunt the early life and the movement.

The other matter of interest is to watch whether Muttiah Muraliltharan can go past Shane Warne’s record. If Sri Lanka bats first and runs up a formidable score and give the Aussies a chase for runs, a fourth and fifth day wicket would see Murali licking his fingers to have a go at Warne’s record.

The Lankans must get their top order batting right.

As for the Aussies, they are an awesome side as they proved in Brisbane even without the likes of Shane Warne and Glen McGrath.

Brett Lee with his terrifying pace has moved in beautifully into McGrath’s shoes and Stuart MacGill has would his fingers round the ball like Warne’s does and they are bowling good line, length and teasing the batsmen to their demise.

The Aussie batting as it showed in Brisbane with all the frontliners firing and making big scores, with Adam Gilchrist not having to bat and whether they bat first or second would not matter.

They will have big runs on the board.

So it is a make or break situation for the Lankans at the Bellrive Oval, and here’s hoping they will come good.

Bellrive Oval, Hobart, Thursday