Minus Dilshan SL battle to level series (Preview)

It hasn’t been a refreshing start to the English cricket summer at all. Not only scores of county fixtures were abandoned, frustrating rain marred both the tests between the home side and Sri Lanka. It needed dramatic twenty five overs that saw tourists crumble for a sorry 82 to get a result in England’s favour. Likewise in first test, majority of morning sessions of the second were washed out and there was no spectacular development as match ended in a tame draw.

And, it hasn’t been a happy tour for Sri Lanka either. Their skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan, instrumental in his side’s good show in the second test with a 253-ball 193, injured his thumb during the marathon innings. The management waited for his injury to heal but to no avail. His missing out means Kumar Sangakkara, who resigned as captain after World Cup, will have to don leadership role as a stop gap arrangement for the third test. With Sri Lanka not announcing vice-captain for the tour, the former skipper was left with no option but accept the role which by no means is going to be an easy affair. One thing is for sure, though. Sanga will give his best, as he has done many a time in the past, to get best out of his charges.

With the absence of opener of Dilshan’s caliber whose one session stay at the crease can change the complexion of the game, Lankans seem to have their backs against the wall. Cricket commentators have deemed current bowling attack of Sri Lanka one that isn’t capable of getting twenty English wickets. True to their predictions, the tourists never looked to threaten English batsmen in first two encounters. The ineffectiveness of Lankan attack can well be gauged by the fact that a total of five centuries including a double from Johnathan Trott have been scored by English in the series so far compared to Sri Lankans’ two.

Under pressure Lankan side knows they have an uphill task on their hands to level the series that they trail 0-1. For the tourists to have any chances of drawing the series, their familiar batting duo Sanga and Mahela Jayawardene will have to come good, and, solid contribution is also needed from Thilan Samaraweera who is having a lean patch on the tour. Sangakkara warmed up for the third test with a terrific century against Essex and for Mahela, who has looked good during his brief stays at the crease, it is a case of one innings away from a big knock. Another centurion against Essex Lahiru Thirimanne, yet to play a test match, is a favourite to take the opening slot, left vacant by Dilshan’s injury. It would need something special from Sri Lanka bowlers, who seem to lack menace and penetration, to stop a run rot at the hands of English.

England camp would be completely in contrasting mood. Their batting seems to be getting better and better every innings. Trott continues to pile up runs, Alaistar Cook’ hunger to bat for longer periods is fresh as ever, Ian Bell looks all at ease whenever he is at crease and Matt Prior gives English batting lineup a late order punch. With star batsman Kevin Pietersen finally getting among the runs, everything looks hunky-dory for Andrew Strauss led side. Runs are due from the skipper though.

England didn’t bowl all that well in the second test. Strauss admitted that as well. The home team has got a boost though ahead of third test. Their premier fast bowler James Anderson returns to the fold after missing the action due to back strain. His return means a toss between Stuart Broad and Steve Finn for a third bowler in the side. Both haven’t looked at their best in the series. Broad might sneak in ahead of Finn for he is got backing of team management.

All in all, it will be the home that will go into the third and final test with all the aces under their belt. Under Sangakkara, the tourists will be up for the challenge and do everything to level the series.

England Squad: Andrew Strauss (c), Alistair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior (wk), Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Chris Tremlett, James Anderson, Steven Finn.

Sri Lanka Squad: Ajantha Mendis, Chanaka Welegedara, Dilhara Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, Farveez Maharoof, K Sangakkara (c), Kaushal Silva (wk), Lahiru Thirimanne, M Jayawardene, P Jayawardene (wk), Rangana Herath, Suraj Randiv, Suranga Lakmal, Tharanga Paranavitana, Thilan Samaraweera, Thisarra Perrera