Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal hinted that they may go into the second Test against India starting at the SSC grounds today with a three-spin bowling attack which means that the only fast bowler in the line-up will be Nuwan Pradeep who took a career best six wickets at Galle.
The SSC surface according to Chandimal is very dry and would encourage spin and in this context Sri Lanka who needs to win here to keep alive the three-match series will opt for an extra spinner.
“Definitely we’ll go with an extra spinner most probably Malinda (Pushpakumara) will come into the side,” said Chandimal at the pre-match press conference. “Dhananjaya (de Silva) has more chance to replace Asela (Gunaratne). We’ll have to see the surface.”
If Pushpakukmara plays Sri Lanka will have in their line up two left-arm spinners with veteran Rangana Herath having recovered from a finger injury. Pushpakumara, 30 has captured 558 wickets at an average of 19.85 playing in 99 first-class matches. Fast bowler Lahiru Kumara will be the one who will have to make way for the third spinner. Off-spinner Dilruwan Perera will retain his place.
“Rangana is a match-winner in the last 7-8 years. If we can play with him, he can give experience to Malinda. That’s what we want to do. This is a really good opportunity if Malinda plays, to benefit from Rangana’s experience in the middle and in the dressing room,” said Chandimal.
Opening bat Dimuth Karunaratne who has been practicing bowling with fast bowling coach Chaminda Vaas at the nets will probably open the bowling with Pradeep. This scenario of using a stop-gap bowler to share the new ball is nothing new at the SSC because the present Sri Lanka team cricket manager and national selector Asanka Gurusinha has played this role in a Test no less than four times at this venue during his distinguished international career bowling at right-arm medium-pace.
In the last Test played at the SSC against Australia, Sri Lanka went in with only fast bowler – Suranga Lakmal and three spinners.
Dhananjaya de Silva who is likely to fill the number six spot left vacant by the injury to Asela Gunaratne scored his maiden Tests hundred at this venue last August against Australia.
CHANDIMAL THANKS ICC
Chandimal is also returning to the side after being laid low by a bout of pnuemonia that kept him out of the Galle Test. He thanked the International Cricket Council (ICC) for allowing him to use an inhaler that enables him to breathe freely during his recovery period.
“I am much better. Thanks to the ICC they gave permission for me to use the inhaler that helped me to breathe properly,” said Chandimal.
The inhaler is a small device used for inhaling medicine in the form of a vapour or gas in order to ease a respiratory condition such as asthma or to relieve nasal congestion. ICC permission has to be sought to use such devices because many of them contain substance that are banned by sporting authorities.
What the Lankan batsmen displayed at Galle was that they were quite capable of handling the Indian bowling attack of pace and spin alike. Where they erred was their failure to convert good starts into big scores. Five Lankan batsmen who got into the fifties but failed to make it big namely Upul Tharanga (64), Angelo Mathews (83), Dilruwan Perera (92 not out), Dimuth Karunarante (97) and Niroshan Dickwella (67).
The Indian batters on the other once they dug themselves in went onto make big hundreds – there were three of them – Shikhar Dhawan 190, Chetaswar Pujara 153 and skipper Virat Kohli 103 not out.
Skipper Chandimal was quick to admit that it made the difference between the two sides.
“We just want to improve as a batting unit. Everyone has scored 50-60 runs, but they couldn’t make the big ones. That’s what we’ve been discussing at the meetings and practices. Hopefully in this match we can do a better job than in the last game,” said Chandimal.
“We just want to forget about the mistakes we did in the first game. We want to take the positives out of it and go forward. That’s what I’m always talking about to the boys. They are all looking forwarding to this game.
“As a team it’s a really good challenge for us. My boys are all in a good position. We’re looking forward to doing well in this game and turning it around.
Preparation wise Chandimal said that they have all been working hard at their game.
“We’ve been doing all the tough work preparing for turning pitches, and playing the reverse sweeps and sweeps. We always do the tough things at practice. When we go to the middle it might be helpful as a batsman,” said Chandimal.
“We are always talking about unity, attitude, progress, discipline – and what Sri Lanka are used to playing with - passion. If we get these five things right, then the result will be good,” he said.
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