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| Sunday, 22 August 2004 |
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Lanka out to continue winning streak by Ranjan Anandappa Sri Lanka will most probably retain their winning outfit when they meet South Africa in the second one day international in a day game at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Khettarama today. A day game at the R. Premadasa stadium is being staged after a lapse of two years since Bangladesh met the Lankans in 2002 which the host nation won by 58 runs. The RP Stadium was mostly confined for day\night matches and it has staged 19 day\night matches prior to the day game to be played today. It is the only venue with floodlights in Colombo besides the one at Dambulla. Two one day internationals a day\night on August 25 and a day game on 28 will take place at the picturesque Rangiri Dambulla Stadium. The final ODI will be at the Sinhalese Sports Club grounds on August 31. The Sri Lankans are riding high winning the Test series 1-0, and already one up in the five-match limited overs series under the leadership of Marvan Atapattu, and they look in a buoyant mood with almost every player performing his part to expectation. "Everything is ironing out well for us. The players are fit and we are hoping to continue in the same fashion that we have been doing", said Ajith Jayasekera, the Team Manager. A day-game at Khettarama provides a different atmosphere and the toss doesn't seem to be so vital. However, Sri Lanka would prefer chasing a total in a day game rather than defending which has been their forte in previous encounters. South Africa, on the other hand, will have to find new strategies as they were unable to defend a formidable total (263) losing their way after being in sight of a certain win. Opener Herschelle Gibbs has been a big disappointment for the visitors and Lance Klusener, their one-day specialist is not performing to expectation and former captain Shaun Pollock has been moderate. The only recognised spinning all rounder Nicky Boje has not posed any threat either with the bat or ball and the South African camp, will however, have to put their faith in their pace bowlers once again in Pollock, Ntini, Kallis, Klusener and Dawson. Chaminda Vaas has been a source of inspiration for the Lankans in both versions of the game as an allrounder and his form is an continuation from where he left in the Test series. Teams - Sri Lanka: Marvan Atapattu (Captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Avishka Gunawardena, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardena, T. M. Dilshan, Upul Chandana, Ferveez Maharoof, Chaminda Vaas, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Nuwan Zoysa, Dilhara Fernando, Lasith Malinga. South Africa: Greame Smith (Captain), Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Jacques Rudolph, Shaun Pollock, Mark Boucher, Lance Klusener, J. Duminy, Nicky Boje, Alan Dawson, M. Ntini. |
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