Sri Lanka forced to make changes for second Test
Charlie Austin - 14 November 2002
Seven days ago, Sri Lanka were preparing for the opening Test in high spirits: the batsman had the luxury of having spent time in the middle during the two warm-up games, and the fast bowlers were looking forward to plying their trade on the more responsive pitches typical in South Africa.
But a week is a long time in international cricket, and after a crushing innings-and-64-run defeat at Wanderers, they have now lost their services of their leader, Sanath Jayasuriya, for the second Test at Centurion that starts on Friday. Sri Lanka will thus be taking the field without Jayasuriya for the first time in a Test match since 1999.
Jayasuriya damaged ligaments in his right ankle whilst warming up for net practice playing football on Tuesday and is also in doubt for at least the first part of the one-day series that follows soon after this game.
Muttiah Muralitharan, their premier bowler, is also struggling with a hernia, but, fortunately for Sri Lanka, he is currently pain-free and, despite a swollen lower abdomen, is expected to play a full part in the Test before undertaking surgery.
Jayasuriya's injury means that left-hander Jehan Mubarak, the only other specialist batsman available in a 17-man squad laden with fast bowlers, will
play his second Test match and open the innings with stand-in captain Marvan
Atapattu.
Russel Arnold, who bagged a pair at Wanderers as opener, edging into the slip cordon in both innings, will drop down into the middle order.
Sri Lanka are also considering a change to their bowling attack. Left-armer
Ruchira Perera was banned from bowling in the first innings at Wanderers after persistently running onto the danger area and the management are reluctant to risk a repeat performance at Centurion.
One option is to pick wicket-keeper Prassana Jayawardene to take the load off Kumara Sangakkara at number three and go into the match with only four frontline fast bowlers. That would add depth to a frail looking lower-order,
but the management have all but discounted such a move, preferring instead
the option of four seamers and one spinner.
Thus Chamila Lakshitha Gamage, a right-arm fast bowler who claimed a wicket with his first ball in Test cricket when he made his debut against Bangladesh in July, is set to play his second Test.
Sri Lanka will, at least, be pleased to see that the groundsman at Centurion
has ignored the South Africa's preference for a well-grassed, quick surface.
The mowers were pressed into action on Wednesday afternoon, and the result is
a brown, flat looking pitch that promises a fair contest between bat and
ball.
However, no matter how the pitch behaves, acting captain Atapattu, taking charge for the first time in a Test, is looking for his team to learn from the mistakes made at Wanderers.
"We did so many things wrong in the first Test and we are trying to put them
right," said Atapattu. "We have discussed where we went wrong and we will try out utmost to correct that in the next match.
"As a batsman, once you get a start you have to go on, especially in conditions like these which we are not very used to hopefully we will put it right this time."
He doesn't expect it to be easy, however. "We know what we are up against and the task that we face. Whatever the pitch we have to do the basics right."
And he doesn't want the players dwell over the loss of Jayasuriya. "It is a
great loss, but we have to understand that these things are going to happen
from time to time. We have got to keep our heads high and perform."
A frontrunner for the captaincy should Jayasuriya decide to hand over the
reins after the World Cup, Atapattu is looking forward to the challenge of leading the side. "It is a great privilege to captain your country and I enjoy it. It is a bit different for me half way through the tour but hopefully I will
handle it well."
Sri Lanka (likely): Marvan Atapattu (captain), Jehan Mubarak, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jaywardene, Russel Arnold, Hashan Tillakaratne, Hasantha Fernando, Chaminda Vaas, Dilhara Fernando, Chamila Gamage Lakshitha, Muttiah Muralitharan
© CricInfo
