First one-dayer against England today: Lanka hoping to maintain impressive record
CRICKET: Sri Lanka will be hoping to maintain their impressive record against England which they have had in the recent past when the two teams clash in the first of five one day internationals at the Rangri Dambulla International Stadium today.
The Lankans have simply been outstanding against their old rivals during the last few months and are fresh following a historic five nil drubbing at the backyard of their opponents last year.
Even then sipper Mahela Jayawardena feels that his team will need to be at its best if they are to come closer of producing a repeat performance.
“Two years ago we had a goal set for us, that’s the World Cup and there after we had a few changes in the set up. But now we have to start all over again. If we stay in dreams of the past the other teams might roll you over” he said.
The Sri Lankan captain believed that the present England team is much stronger than they faced them last year and this was quite clear when the islanders cruised to an exciting two run victory in the ICC World Cup fixture in the West Indies in April.
Jayawardena noted that England have got some really talented all rounders coming through even though they will badly feel the absence of Andrew Flintoff. The star all rounder was forced to pull-out of the series due to a troublesome left ankle and he also missed the last one-day series between the two teams in 2006.
Jayawardena said that with Flintoff in the England side they have a more balanced attack because he is a batting all rounder who bowls really well. “He is a matchwinner and his absence is obviously an advantage for us.” added Jayawardena.
“We met them in the World Cup and it was a very close game. England will be a good challenge for us. It’s a big season ahead and we need to make sure we start on a very good note.
“They also have some quality batsmen who play different roles, some we haven’t seen. We need to understand what those are and try to counter-attack them.”
Skipper Jayawardena said that they should now forget the negative aspect of the Twenty20 version of the game and try to pick up the positive things that they gained in South Africa.
He noted that 50 overs are a lot of overs and it is important for them to bat the full distance which they have done quite successfully in the past.
Sri Lanka’s only concern of course will be the absence of off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan who has been ruled out from the first three one day internationals as he is still recovering from a strained right bicep which he sustained while bowling long spells during his county stint with Lancashire.
Skipper Jayawardena said that this will be a good opportunity for Kaushal Lokuarachchi to make an impact in the absence of Muralitharan. Lokuarachchi is one of the two spinners named in the Sri Lanka squad along with Dilruwan Perera.
“It’s good for us to try a few things right now, see what Lokuaachchi has to offer and how we can have different combinations going forward” added Jayawardena.
The major concern England are facing is the heat and the unpredictable wickets which are expected to take some turn and bounce.
In fact both teams are unfamiliar to the conditions because there have not been many first class matches played in the recent past.
England of course have a bitter record at this venue where they were bowled out for 88 runs in their previous appearance here in 2003.
But they will be going into this series having recorded a morale boosting home series victory against India at the back of their mind. In addition they have quickly got their act together well and piled up over three hundred runs in their only warm up fixture ahead of the series.
The teams:
Sri Lanka (from): Mahela Jayawardena (captain), Kumar Sangakkara, Chaminda Vaas, Sanath Jayasuriya, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Chamara Silva, Jehan Mubarak, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Farveez Maharoof, Upul Tharanga, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Gayan Wijekoon, Dilruwan Perera.
England (from): Paul Collingwood (captain), James Anderson, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Stuart Broad, Alistair Cook, Chris Tremlett, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Monty Panesar, Kevin Pieterson, Paul Mustard, Owais Shah, Ryan Sidebottom, Graeme Swann, Luke Wright.
Umpires: Rudi Koertzen and Asoka de Silva.
The Lankans have simply been outstanding against their old rivals during the last few months and are fresh following a historic five nil drubbing at the backyard of their opponents last year.
Even then sipper Mahela Jayawardena feels that his team will need to be at its best if they are to come closer of producing a repeat performance.
“Two years ago we had a goal set for us, that’s the World Cup and there after we had a few changes in the set up. But now we have to start all over again. If we stay in dreams of the past the other teams might roll you over” he said.
The Sri Lankan captain believed that the present England team is much stronger than they faced them last year and this was quite clear when the islanders cruised to an exciting two run victory in the ICC World Cup fixture in the West Indies in April.
Jayawardena noted that England have got some really talented all rounders coming through even though they will badly feel the absence of Andrew Flintoff. The star all rounder was forced to pull-out of the series due to a troublesome left ankle and he also missed the last one-day series between the two teams in 2006.
Jayawardena said that with Flintoff in the England side they have a more balanced attack because he is a batting all rounder who bowls really well. “He is a matchwinner and his absence is obviously an advantage for us.” added Jayawardena.
“We met them in the World Cup and it was a very close game. England will be a good challenge for us. It’s a big season ahead and we need to make sure we start on a very good note.
“They also have some quality batsmen who play different roles, some we haven’t seen. We need to understand what those are and try to counter-attack them.”
Skipper Jayawardena said that they should now forget the negative aspect of the Twenty20 version of the game and try to pick up the positive things that they gained in South Africa.
He noted that 50 overs are a lot of overs and it is important for them to bat the full distance which they have done quite successfully in the past.
Sri Lanka’s only concern of course will be the absence of off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan who has been ruled out from the first three one day internationals as he is still recovering from a strained right bicep which he sustained while bowling long spells during his county stint with Lancashire.
Skipper Jayawardena said that this will be a good opportunity for Kaushal Lokuarachchi to make an impact in the absence of Muralitharan. Lokuarachchi is one of the two spinners named in the Sri Lanka squad along with Dilruwan Perera.
“It’s good for us to try a few things right now, see what Lokuaachchi has to offer and how we can have different combinations going forward” added Jayawardena.
The major concern England are facing is the heat and the unpredictable wickets which are expected to take some turn and bounce.
In fact both teams are unfamiliar to the conditions because there have not been many first class matches played in the recent past.
England of course have a bitter record at this venue where they were bowled out for 88 runs in their previous appearance here in 2003.
But they will be going into this series having recorded a morale boosting home series victory against India at the back of their mind. In addition they have quickly got their act together well and piled up over three hundred runs in their only warm up fixture ahead of the series.
The teams:
Sri Lanka (from): Mahela Jayawardena (captain), Kumar Sangakkara, Chaminda Vaas, Sanath Jayasuriya, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Chamara Silva, Jehan Mubarak, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Farveez Maharoof, Upul Tharanga, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Gayan Wijekoon, Dilruwan Perera.
England (from): Paul Collingwood (captain), James Anderson, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Stuart Broad, Alistair Cook, Chris Tremlett, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Monty Panesar, Kevin Pieterson, Paul Mustard, Owais Shah, Ryan Sidebottom, Graeme Swann, Luke Wright.
Umpires: Rudi Koertzen and Asoka de Silva.
posted by Don @ October 01, 2007
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