Our batsmen must use their feet

Elmo Rodrigopulle

3 June 1998


When the vital Second Test against New Zealand begins at the newest Test venue in Galle today, the idea of the local batsmen must be to not allow the visiting spinners to get the better of them.

The only way they can do that is to use their feet, get to the pitch of the ball and play them to where ever they want. Batsmen using their feet are anathema to any spin bowler.

So instead of putting on the shackles and staying put at the crease the batsmen will do well to take the fight to Paul Wiseman and Daniel Vettori and not get spun out by them.

In the previous Test the pitch was prepared to probably suit the home team. But unfortunately Ranatunga lost the all-important toss and from that point onwards we were on reverse gear. So it will be seen that all plans however meticulously laid can go awry because that is how the game goes. How the wicket in Galle or for that matter any wicket will play will not be easy to tell by just having a look at it. first looks can be deceptive. But it is always safe to bat first considering that the wicket will be prone to wear and tear.

The Sri Lankans cannot afford to lose this one too. Accepted that we are in the process of team building - in other words we are passing through another era - but that does not mean that we must keep losing in the process of team building.

We have the talent to be match winners even in the process of building. What is required is for the players to believe in themselves. We hope to see a rejuvenated side in Galle stuffing the Kiwis.

It is nice to see the return of Hashan Tillekeratne. Tillekeratne must still be dreading that tour of the West Indies where he took a bouncer on his arm which led to his batting slump and also losing his place in the side. He did not have a bad tour of SA until he played that babyish shot in the second innings of that Second Test which probably also cost him his place in the one-day line up there.

Tillekeratne has been striking it rich in the Mercantile scene and the captain and selectors have done well in bringing him back. He is sure to strengthen the team alround with his batting and fielding. He must re-cement his place in the team.

Once again Ranatunga will have to depend on his spinners to deliver. Muralidaran will be spot on as usual and he will have for support Bandarathilake who must be told to concentrate on bowling the top spinner more often. That is a delivery that is pitched short of a length and hurries through. One bowler who was a master at that was the former left arm spinner of Saracens and NCC fame Annesley de Silva.

While the batsmen have it in them to score, the skipper will be looking for a good opening from Jayasuriya and Atapattu. Atapattu when he plays from crease does not get in line. His bat is so far away from his body and that has resulted in his being caught behind off an inside edge or dragging the ball into his stumps. He had this weakness in SA too and does not seem to have shed this bad habit.

Anyway it is hoped that skipper Ranatunga, coach Roy Dias and Cricket Manager Ranjit Fernando have all got the team fired up and that they will come out victors this time round.

Now that Fleming's team has got us on the ropes they will not let go. They are a nicely balanced team and unless we play to the best of our ability and take the half chances the Kiwis will try to undo us again!


Source: The Daily News

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Date-stamped : 03 Jun1998 - 06:25