By CricketCountry Staff
It will be the beginning of a new era for Australians when they take on Sri Lanka under new skipper Michael Clarke, with the first of the three Test matches beginning on Wednesday, August 31 at the Galle International Stadium.
Published: Aug 30, 2011, 03:34 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 30, 2011, 03:34 PM (IST)
Michael Clarke will aim to start his captaincy tenure on a winning note © Getty Images
By CricketCountry Staff
Galle: Aug 30, 2011
It will be the beginning of a new era for Australians when they take on Sri Lanka under new skipper Michael Clarke, with the first of the three Test matches beginning on Wednesday, August 31 at the Galle International Stadium.
Clarke, who led his country before in the final Test of the Ashes series, was in a dilemma regarding team selection. Australia, who warmed up for the series opener with a decent performance against Sri Lanka Board President’s XI, had Usman Khawaja scoring a century, but another strong contender for the No. 6 berth, Shaun Marsh, failing to score.
Clarke, who was not sure which batsman will be preferred for the No. 6 slot, said, “I don’t know, I’m not sure. Khawaja grabbed a hold of his opportunity and that’s all you can do, he’s another one who has put his hand up and said ‘give me a chance’.”
“I also thought Sos (Marsh) did well in that first one-dayer he played when he made 70 and creamed them, he played the spin really well, we’ve got to have a really good think about the position.”
Also, the newly-appointed skipper has to take a call regarding Trent Copeland, who’s five-for in the tour game gave the impression of good form. Copeland might have to wait as the venue of the first Test, Galle International Stadium, boasts a track which starts turning from day one, might prompt Clarke to include two spinners – Michael Beer and Nathan Lyon – in the attack.
However, both Beer and Lyon failed to make a mark during the three-day tour match.
Ryan Harris, who has recovered after suffering a fracture in his ankle, is likely to share the new ball with Mitchell Johnson, and if Clarke plays three pacers, then Copeland is likely the third fast bowler.
Both skippers sounded worried regarding the pitch.
“The wicket looks more dry than what we got in previous matches in Galle. It will be a bit slow and I think it will turn after tea on the first day itself,” said Dilshan, who will lead Sri Lanka for the first time in a home series.
Clarke said, “I hope I win the toss. It will be harder to bat as the game goes on. Our biggest challenge in the series is how we are going to play spin bowling. It is going to be a tough battle.”
Sri Lanka will feel much comfortable playing at home with a new setup rather than in challenging English conditions, where they lost 0-1 under Dilshan. They have included uncapped leg-spinner Seekkuge Prasanna in their squad. All-rounder Angelo Matthews is all set to make his first Test appearance since December 2010, and it is certain that Anjantha Mendis will play.
There is a talk that Sri Lanka might play three spinners – Rangana Herath, Ajantha Mendis and Suraj Randiv. “There is a good chance of playing three spinners, but I can also bowl a bit of off-spin, so we will see what is best,” Dilshan said.
Dilshan, who hasn’t impressed much with his captaincy, would be eager to score runs coming at the top and giving his two mainstays – Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene – an ideal platform for a big score. Thilan Samaraweera would aim to carry his good form with the bat.
Sri Lanka are presently placed at the fourth spot in ICC Test rankings, having won only one of the last 12 Tests played. Under them are placed the Australians – embarking their journey to regain the No. 1 spot – with one win in last eight Tests played.
Sri Lanka indeed holds slight advantage over the visitors, as they are playing in home conditions and against a relatively newly-shaped opponents with youngsters coming in.
Australia, on the other hand, will be buoyed with the fact that they have won five and lost only one of the 10 Tests that they have played in the island nation, and a series win would see them rise to fourth place, but the positions will remain unchanged if Sri Lanka win.
Teams:
Sri Lanka (Probable): Tillakaratne Dilshan (c), Tharanga Paranavitana, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Prasanna Jayawardene(wk), Angelo Mathews, Suranga Lakmal, Rangana Herath, Ajantha Mendis, Chanaka Welegedara.
Australia (Probable): Shane Watson, Phillip Hughes, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke (c), Michael Hussey, Usman Khawaja, Brad Haddin(wk), Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris, Nathan Lyon, Michael Beer.
Time: 10.00 local (10.00 IST)
