http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758: 3rd and final Test – Sri Lankan bowlers to watch-out for
Australia and Sri Lanka are going to start the 3rd and last Test from tomorrow, September 16, at Colombo, with the former aiming to win and the latter vying to level the 3-match series. The opening match was won by the Aussies and the 2nd
one ended in a draw due to rain.
The competition will be rip-roaring and thrilling as both the sides are h**l-bent to outplay each other.
As Test cricket is all about bowlers who have to finish the innings by taking wickets, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/TM-Dilshan-c2691, the Lankan skipper, is expecting his bowlers to capitalise on the home ground advantage to their favour and try to restrict the rivals to minimum
possible scores.
Though Sri Lanka’s bowling department is somewhat fragile without http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SL-Malinga-c2540, as it is evident from the fact that they have not won a single Test game since the departure of the former, who has 800 Test wickets to his name, but
some young bowlers like Suraj Randiv, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/UWMBCA-Welegedara-c2735 are doing well with the ball.
Here we take a look on the performances and key skills of each of these three bowlers who are likely to make an impact in the high-voltage Test.
Chanaka Welegedara
Despite starting late in his International career, the 30-year-old pacer has stunned many cricket fans with his outstanding performances with the ball.
On the basis of his stylish action and brisk pace, he is considered to be an ideal substitute for the team’s veteran bowler, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Chaminda-Vaas-c1223.
In the absence of Malinga, he leads the pace attack with the new ball and often succeeds in taking some early wickets.
Making his Test debut in 2007 against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013, the left-arm fast bowler has played 10 matches so far, taking 23 wickets with an economy rate of 4.11. He picked an important wicket in the last Test.
Welegedara is likely to shine in the final and help his side level the series 1-1.
Suraj Randiv
The young Lankan spinner made his Test debut at the same venue last year against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750. Starting his career as a fast bowler, Randiv soon identified his predominant skills and turned to spin the ball later on.
Though the spinner had been bowling well since his school days but his 23-wicket haul in just 4 matches in 2003-04 season brought him in the radar of the national selectors who gave him an opportunity to play at the higher level.
However, the 26-year-old made his International debut in 2009 and played his maiden Test in July 2010. He is considered to be a lucky player for his http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 World Cup debut in the last tournament’s final against India.
The offspinner has played 5 Tests so far and taken 19 wickets with an average of 42.47. Randiv is likely to shine with his unique deliveries in the coming game and steer his side to victory.
Suranga Lakmal
Like Suraj, the young pacer also made his Test debut last year and impressed the world by with his wrecking deliveries and winning wickets.
Lakmal started bowling with accurate pace and intense swing during his school age. His magnificent performances for Richmond College and Tamil Union teams impressed the national team’s bowling coaches who suggested the management to pick the guy for the
high teams.
Later on, the pacer joined the national cricket academy and worked hard to improve his skills under the supervision of the coaches. He soon emerged as a quality bowler and became ready for International cricket.
The 24-year-old bowler has played 7 Tests so far and grabbed 16 wickets. He took three wickets in the last Test and is being expected to replicate the same in the coming match.
Last Word
The above mentioned bowlers combine to form a formidable Lankan bowling attack, and are likely to give a tough time to the mighty Kangaroo batsmen. If they shine, the team will surely be able to avert the series defeat.
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