Sri Lanka v http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 Third Test Preview
The Sri Lankans are eyeing a series win over the number one ranked team in test cricket as they prepare for the third and final test against the Indians which is set to start at the P. Sara Oval in Colombo on August 3.
The host won the opening test match of the series at Galle by ten wickets. It was followed by the second test which was a high scoring draw with both teams scoring more than 600 runs each. Te wicket was made to last for a month without breaking up and did not provide any semblance of a chance to the unlucky bowlers.
The wicket for the second test came under heavy criticism from all quarters of the game especially former cricketers within India and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 who felt that such pitches spoil the entertainment for fans and are thus a bad advertisement for the game.
Meanwhile, both teams are geared up for the final test especially the Indians who are in danger of losing their number one spot in International Cricket Council’s test rankings if they are subjected to another defeat in the third test that would mean a series defeat too.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mahendra-Singh-Dhoni-c73820 is optimistic that his team will pull off a win, even with a depleted bowling attack that lacks the bite of Zaheer Khan.
Zaheer had to stay on the sidelines due to an injury and his absence has put an extra load on http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ishant-Sharma-c64566 who has failed to live up to expectations in the first two test matches.
Back-up seamer Mithun has looked the part on occasions only in the first two tests and needs to do a lot more if he is to cement his place in the Indian test line-up.
Spin wizard Harbhajan Singh has also had a miserable time in Sri Lanka, failing to claim even a single wicket in the first test before returning with un-impressive figures at the Sinhalese Sports Club.
On the other hand, former Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene, who scored a hundred in the second test, has thrown the gauntlet at the opposition by claiming that they were not aggressive enough in the longest format of the game. With the lack of teeth in their attack, India is all set to relinquish the top spot soon.
Jayawardene opined that the SSC wicket was not as bad as the ones encountered at the venue over the years, as it offered more bounce to the bowlers.
He felt that due to so much inexperience in the bowling line-ups in the test, the batsmen had a ball by amassing big runs. Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara and Indian master blaster Sachin Tendulkar scored double hundreds to pile on the misery for the luckless bowlers.
The seasoned batsman feels that despite their lack of success in the series thus far the Indians were more than capable of turning the tables on the hosts who have to guard against complacency and ensure that they don’t let a golden opportunity of securing a series win, and further improve their impregnable home record.
Fans are hoping that a sporting wicket is produced for the decider so that a lively contest is witnessed between the two teams that have incredible batting line-up’s at their disposal, yet it is the bowlers who need to rise to the occasion.
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