The Hindu : Sport : Chance to catch some action, finally!

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Aug 18, 2006

Sport

Sport

Chance to catch some action, finally!

S. Dinakar

/ It has not been easy for the players to wait and watch, hoping for the weather to clear

SPEED DOES MATTER: The pacemen are likely to call the shots at the SSC and India would look up to S. Sreesanth to strike early blows . — Photo: V. Ganesan

Colombo: A sharp shower in the evening on Thursday did not augur well for Friday's game. "I hope we finally get a match tomorrow," said India's manager Sanjay Jagdale. He then appeared to be praying.

It has not been easy for the cricketers to wait and watch, hoping for the weather to clear. The periods of sunshine have been few and far between. For most part, the cricketing ambience has been clouded, in more than one sense.

While serious questions are being asked about the composition and the process adopted by the security panel hired by the International Cricket Council (ICC), whose report ensured that the Unitech series remained a stillborn event, the Indians and the Sri Lankans, at least, have an opportunity to see some action.

Better drainage

One series ends and another begins. The good news is that the three matches of an ODI series born out of the compulsions of the situation will be staged at the Singhalese Sports Club (SSC) stadium which has a better drainage facility than the Premadasa ground.

Even if the weather holds, the chances of a prompt 10 a.m. start is unlikely given that the SSC ground too has been pounded by downpour.

The Indians would be pleased with the shifting of the venue, from Premadasa. The SSC is among the harder pitches in the country and there is bound to be a measure of assistance for the pacemen.

Opting to bowl, striking early, building pressure and assuming control would be the ideal scenario for the skipper getting the spin of the coin right.

Fielding first

This suggests both sides will go in with an extra paceman. The contest presents an ideal opportunity for Irfan Pathan to rediscover his form.

The left-arm paceman is a different bowler too if the surface has some juice in it. Confidence and performance are intertwined and Pathan needs to deliver.

Harbhajan Singh is likely to be India's lone spinner. The Sardar and Muttiah Muralitharan will be involved in an off-spinning face-off. The Indians are likely to open with Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, with Virender Sehwag pushed to the middle-order.

Yuvraj optimistic

India will be seeking runs from Yuvraj Singh too. The talented southpaw searched for a sizable knock in West Indies, and his struggling ways was in sharp contrast to his majestic batting earlier in the season.

In a chat with presspersons, Yuvraj sounded optimistic about being back among runs. He had steered the side to a victory too with a punishing 61 in India's only match of the tour so far, the practice game against Sri Lanka `A'.

The Sri Lankans have a balanced side, with Chaminda Vaas, an often unsung but a committed performer, and Fervez Maharoof being the all-rounders. Vice-captain Kumar Sangakkara, an exceptional batsman, also creates a slot for the team by keeping wickets in the ODIs.

If the pitch is a shade wet, then Lasith Malinga, with his sling-arm action could prove a handful. Sanath Jayasuriya should offer spin support to Muralitharan.

However, senior batsman Marvan Atapattu, despite his presence in the squad, has still not declared himself fully fit from a back injury.

Even without Atapattu's deft touch and sure placements, Sri Lanka is a buzzing unit. As the impressive captain Mahela Jayawardene said, the islanders do carry with them, self-belief and confidence.

But then, the Indians are in with a definite chance at the SSC.

The teams:

India (from): Rahul Dravid (captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Mohammed Kaif, Yuvraj Singh, M.S. Dhoni, Irfan Pathan, Ajit Agarkar, Harbhajan Singh, S. Sreesanth, Munaf Patel, Ramesh Powar, Suresh Raina, Dinesh Mongia, R.P Singh: Coach: Greg Chappell.

Sri Lanka (from): M. Jayawardene (captain), U. Tharanga, S. Jayasuriya, K. Sangakkara, T. Dilshan, C.K. Kapugedara, M. Maharoof, C. Vaas, S.L. Malinga, M. Muralitharan, D. Fernando, R. Perera, C.M. Bandara, P. Jayawardene, M. Atapattu. Coach: Tom Moody.

Umpires: Billy Bowden & P.H. Wijewardene; Third Umpire: Asoka de Silva; Match Referee: Chris Broad.

Hours of play: 10 a.m. (IST) to 1.30 p.m. & 2.15 p.m. till close of play.

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