The Sri Lankan cricketers are determined to make their first ever historic tour of the caribbean a memorable one when they confront the West Indies in the first of two Tests beginning today.
We are not trying to make excuses for the locals, but it is obvious that Arjuna Ranatunga will not be leading a team that he would have liked. We say this because he will be missing his two frontline pacemen Chaminda Vaas and Nuwan Zoysa.
HALF STRENGTH
Minus these two warheads, the new ball attack will certainly be at half strength, although the back up guys Sajeewa de Silva, Ravindra Pushpakumara and Dulip Liyanage will endeavour to hit true and hard at the caribbean batting if they play.
In addition to being underdone what with the flu weakening them physically, the Lankans would certainly have been unable to get their game plan into action in the run up games.
However the Lankans will not cite these as excuses, but will play the game as it should be played and will play it hard and true with the bottom line being victory.
PACE BARRAGE
If the Sri Lankan batsmen are able to counter the pace barrage that the West Indies will fire at them via skipper Walsh, Ambrose, Bishop and Rose they have a good chance of probing for victory.
Knowing full well the Lankan batting potential, the Windies pace battery is sure to short pitch and unsettle the batsmen. Though this foursome is not as fearsome and fiery like Roberts, Holding, Marshall or Garner, yet they can prove disconcerting with their available speed and the ability to get the ball to shoot up from a good length.
'BODYLINE'
The Lankan batsmen who lack in height will certainly find it difficult to counter the somewhat bodyline bowling that will be part of the West Indian strategy. But for what the Lankans lack in height, they will make up with tremendous guts.
The home team is sure to prepare wickets that will suit their fast men. That is their prerogative. How the Lankan batsmen will counter the pace swung at them will be interesting to watch.
It is anathema for the Windies to lose at home and before their enthusiastic home fans. To be beaten will be to raise the ire of their fans which could lead to disturbance not only on the ground but outside it as well.
GRAND DUEL
This Test will also be interesting because it will see a grand duel between the two batting sensations Brian Lara of the West Indies and our own champion Sanath Jayasuriya. There is nothing that Lara has that Jayasuriya hasn't.
Aravinda de Silva's form must be a source of worry. But he has what it takes to come good on the big occasion and this could be the occasion that he has been waiting for. If he gets going whatever pace the Windies fire will be blunted. He is a murderer of short pitched bowling and if in the correct mood, can make the Windies rethink strategy.
GOOD RUN
Incidentally it is also heartening to see skipper Arjuna Ranatunga continuing his good run with the bat. It is said that the great Sir Garfield Sobers had spotted a chink in his technique during the Independence trophy in India and put it right. From then on runs flowed from his bat.
Ranatunga needs to score to hold the Lankan batting together.