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An acid test ahead
By Ranil Abeynaike
Bangladesh was pushed aside. They offered some resistance in the ODI’s, but could not make any impression, barring Mohamed Ashraful’s century, in the Test matches. Most of the Sri Lankans got useful batting and bowling practice. Upul Tharanga and Muttiah Muralitharan benefited in terms of runs and wickets. Now they will be up against a different proposition – Pakistan.

Their recent record has been impressive. It has been a non stop run for them too since November last year. They had two tough assignments, both at home, and they got much of the desired results.Both England and India arrived in Pakistan on a high. England, all powerful, having conquered the Ashes and the mighty Aussies. India having systematically decimated the Sri Lankans. Both series drew a lot of public interest.

Pakistan faltered at the last hurdle. They surrendered the one day series to India. After winning the first one they lost the next four, giving the Indians consolation for losing the test series. Their mission will be to find their way back in the ODI’s first.

By affording opportunities to younger players during the tours to Australia and Bangladesh some talent has been unearthed. Left hand opening batsman Upul Tharanga came in to the side even earlier playing against the Indians in India. During the past eight months he has had his baptism and confirmed that he is a player worth persevering with. In the long term he seems to be the replacement for the great Sanath Jayasuriya.

The other find of the recent past has been Malinga Bandara the leg spinner. He is certainly on the improve with each outing. I still have some reservations of him playing in the one day side. In particular with Kaushal Lokuarachchi also making ground as an allrounder. Having moved from Bloomfield C.C. to the Singhalese Sports Club he seems to have settled into being fully focused on the game and the results are showing. With his allround ability Lokuarachchi should find a place in the one day team while Bandara concentrates on dismissing batsmen, bowling to that plan in the longer version of the game.
The batsmen who are all established now, must deliver. Since August of last year they have been playing a lot of cricket. The opposition, pitches, weather conditions have all varied during that time. In terms of exposure no more could be asked for.

Marvan Atapattu must lead the way. Until the World Cup next March Atapattu should open the innings in both forms of the game. There is Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Tharanga and Michael Van Dort to accompany him. Play the most suited for each game be it an ODI or a test match.

The top and middle order packs plenty of experience now. Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardane are now at the peak of their batting careers. They have to take on the brunt of responsibility and score a brunt of the runs. T.M. Dilshan has been hot and cold. It reflects the manner in which he plays. Attacking and aggressive – at times he needs to control those natural instincts and give the bowler and the pitch the due respect.

Muttiah Muralitharan has worked his way to regain all the variations and the line and tantalizing length, seems to also have come good. He has dusted off the cobwebs, having not played for a while last year naturally pushed him back. A lot more bowling still remains for Muralitharan to complete.

The other pace and spin bowlers tried are also gradually making progress. But spare a thought for Chaminda Vaas. He has been messed around with the Vice Captaining issue. It must affect. He still forms the major bowling combination with Muralitharan in both forms of the game. The sooner he gets back into the fold the better. Sri Lanka needs Chaminda Vaas.

Sri Lanka will also need all their players to perform to the best potential against the Pakistanis. The opposition is good, in form, so it should be an acid test for Marvan Atapattu’s men.

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