The Galle pitch will assist the fast bowlers, believes http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DPMD-Jayawardene-c1397 – Cricket News Update
Mahela Jayawardene, the Sri Lankan captain, has predicted that the pitch for the first Test of the series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 at Galle will be heavily in favour of the fast bowlers and the spinners will play an important role in the
last couple of days of the fixture.
The two-match series begins today after the home team’s comprehensive victory in the One Day International (ODI) series. Sri Lanka, with all their experience and quality, will start the Test series as favourites.
Some of the Test specialists have not been playing a lot of competitive cricket in recent times as the Lankans have not played the longer format of the game since the series against Pakistan at home, in July. However, Jayawardene revealed
that all of them have been working extremely hard on their game and should be able to deliver the goods against the Black Caps.
“Everyone had a good net session - not just the batsmen, but even the bowlers who are coming back from injury,” Jayawardene said. “Samaraweera, Prasanna and Tharanga have been working hard with the A-team coaches, although they didn't
have any competitive cricket. All three of them are batting really well.”
The seasoned middle-order batsman is of the view that the seamers will play a key role in the outcome of the match due to the nature of the pitch at Galle.
“It looks like this pitch will only become helpful for the spinners in the last two days. Until then, it should be a good surface and it should have something in it for the fast bowlers as well. They will have some responsibility on
their shoulders throughout the match,” he added.
This is quite an extra-ordinary statement by the home team’s skipper as the Galle pitch has always been more in favour of the spinners. The last Test played at this ground between http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 was dominated by the likes of
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Saeed-Ajmal-c87859 and Suraj Randiv.
New Zealand will be happier of the two sides if the track at Galle helps the fast bowlers, which seems to be the visitors’ strength.
Tags: