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Will Sri Lanka break the 18-month drought ?
By Bernie Wijesekera
Sri Lanka had an 18-month drought after losing to England 2-0 (away). Since then the Lankans have failed to make an impact in the Test scene barring a 2-0 win over minnows Bangladesh.

They take on the English team managed by Duncan Fletcher for a three-Test series commencing on December 2 - the first Test at Galle Esplanade. So far the weather has been unkind to cricket in this on-going series. According to sources from Galle bad light is prevailing in the evenings.

The pitch generally has been a 'turner', where Muralitharan has revelled. In year 2002, at Galle when England were outplayed and outclassed by Sri Lanka to win the game by an innings and 28 runs. But in the subsequent games England won the second Test at Asgiriya by three wickets and the final game at the SSC by four wickets in a nail-biting finish. Sri Lanka batting in the final Test after a healthy start was in tatters when seven wickets fell for 36 runs in the first innings. Then in the second Andy Caddick and Gough bowled the Lankans for a paltry 81. The tourists won in the end 2-1.

This series is going to be a tussle for supremacy, said Sri Lanka skipper Hashan Tillekeratne in an interview with The Sunday Times. "The Englishmen have done their homework and are totally committed to stand up to varying conditions. Sri Lanka has to give an all round display. Our middle-order batting has let us down in the past.

They have to concentrate and dig themselves in and play a long innings. Jayasuriya, Atapattu and Sangakkara have abundant experience and they have proved their mettle at home and abroad. Mahela must concentrate and must stay at the wicket. The lower-order is the problem. Are you going to bring in a batting all rounder probably may do so after having a good look at the pitch. Contenders will be Tilan Samaraweera, Upul Chandana and Kumar Dharmasena."

When inquired about Sri Lankan's dependency on Muralitharan Tillekeratne said "One can't depend solely on him. The bowlers go in pairs. Work-horse Chaminda Vaas has been the key bowler who has maintained consistency and has bowled stout-heartedly. Dinusha Fernando, who bowled to a good line in Dambulla may get the nod over Dilhara. Dilhara has still to find his rhythm." Tillekeratne, with a never-say-die approach will take up the gauntlet, but others must contribute to break the 18-month hoodoo.

The 'lion-hearted' England team led by Michael Vaughan gives no let-up. With the return of Grahame Thorpe the left-handed batsman Thorpe, is in the mould of David Gower. On Thorpe's return to international cricket after a short self imposed lay off, he who put England on the box-seat in the final Test against S. Africa to make it 2-all in a unforgettable contest. Despite limited opportunities to practice they got their act-together in the three-day side game despite inclement weather. Mark Butcher, who opened the innings scored a workman-like 151 n.o., in 331 mts. in 219 balls (with 16 fours and 3 sixes).

The batting looks pretty strong down the line. Trescothick, Vaughan, Butcher, Hussain left-hander Thorpe and dynamic all rounder Andrew Flintoff, a hard hitting batsman in the mould of Ian Botham. He bowls pretty quick and a brilliant fielder too. They don't have a world-class spinner like Sri Lanka's 'Murali' but Giles, the left-arm spinner possess accuracy and turn to baffle the batsmen on a helpful pitch. Jon Batty and Robert Croft had a good work out in the three-day match.

Mark Watkinson, the spin bowling coach (former England cricketer). He is a good reader of the game and is also the Lancashire coach. He said "Batty has come up well. After reading the pitch they will decide the spin-combination for the Test in Galle. The pacemen will be Hoggard and probably J. Kirtley joined by Flintoff."

"They bowled well on a slow Maitland Crescent pitch with an occasional ball lifting. Read who took over from veterean Alec Stewart (retired) looks sound behind the sticks." The English ground fielding is excellent. Some pundits think that Sri Lanka could wrap up the game in three days, but England are determined to make it a hard fought tussle. This was confirmed by Sri Lanka coach, John Dyson.

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