The Hindu : Sport : Murali would have chased them down, says Jayawardene

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Murali would have chased them down, says Jayawardene

Special Correspondent

The Sri Lankan captain expects the tri-series to be competitive

Murali was the only recognisable face in the group
Jayawardene says Australia is a tough place to play

— Photo: AFP

UNAFFECTED: Ace Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan shares a lighter moment during training in Brisbane on Monday is not bothered by the egg-throwing incident and is raring for the cricket to begin.

Brisbane: “He has survived more things than a rotten egg,” said a supportive captain Mahela Jayawardene here on Monday.

Talking about the incident where Muttiah Muralitharan was hit by a rotten egg while going to dinner with his friends in Hobart, Lankan skipper Jayawardene said, “Murali was the only recognisable face in the group. Murali is the kind of guy who would have chased down the throwers in the car. Had there been a stone nearby he would have hurled it at them.”

Jayawardene went on: “Luckily for the throwers, the traffic lights flashed green and they were able to get away. Had the lights flashed red, they would have been in trouble.” The Lankan skipper added, “We all had a good laugh at the incident. Even Murali was laughing away at it. I do not think it was a big deal. We decided to register a police complaint to prevent a more serious incident of this nature in the future.”

Impressed

Jayawardene was impressed at the match between India and Australia on Sunday. “It was between two good sides. It was a competitive game.” He said his team had plans for the new generation Indian batsmen.

The Lankan captain expected the tri-series to be a competitive one. “Australia has always been consistent. India has done well recently with a young side. We have a good blend of experience and youth.”

He conceded Australia was a tough place to play cricket. “It is not only the players but the crowd that is aggressive. Everybody here wants to win. As a player you shut everything else from the mind and concentrate on the match. You need to handle the pressure,” said the Lankan captain.

Enhanced

Jayawardene said the ODI side would be enhanced by the return of Upul Tharanga and Tillekaratne Dilshan. He added Lanka had options in bowling.

The Lankan captain complimented India for fighting back and winning a match in the Test series here. “Despite the mishaps, they were able to pick themselves up,” said Jayawardene.

Talking about Adam Gilchrist and his retirement, he said, “He played the game (at the international level) for only ten years but changed it completely, particularly the role of a wicket-keeper batsman.”

Jayawardene said the Lankans tried the same strategy by playing Kumara Sangakkara as a batsman-wicketkeeper since such a ploy provided the side greater balance.

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