68 per cent say 'Yes' to Sri Lanka victory in Test

Elmo Rodrigopulle reporting

CRICKET: Will Sri Lanka beat Australia in a cricket Test this summer? This is the question posed to readers by the 'The Courier Mail' here.

And the answer is - 68% says YES and 32% says NO.

This is what the readers have to say in giving their arguments for YES and NO.

YES reader say:- This is a very well balanced attack Sri Lankan team and we don't yet know how our bowling attack will stand up without the best paceman in the last decade and the best leg-spinner of all time. But we are about to find out. - SIMO

Sri Lanka can beat Australia in a Test this summer and might even win the series, because it has a much better balanced bowling attack. Sure the Aussies batting looks very strong on paper but you only need a couple of big scores from the Sri Lankan batsmen and they are on their way. RALPH

Yes. Then we ill see Ponting seeking and showing the poor sportsmanship he is renowned for. - RONNIE MICHAEL said Sri Lanka won't lose a game this summer. Apparently Australia have a team of Nevilles. Murali will make this Aussie side look like chumps. - SHANE

But only as the long as the selectors don't choose overrated, underachieving players from NSW like Brett Lee and Phil Jacques. - RICHARD

NO readers say: No, but the lions will play competitive cricket - in good spirit. - CHANDRA

The Sri Lankans are a pretty talented team but they're not really fond of the ball coming at their ribs and throat at 140-150km/h. And I'm afraid that will be their diet this month - HAMMO

In the last few years the Sri Lankans have learned to talk a good game but over five days of grinding Test cricket they are still too brittle - WALLY

These are guess work and predications. 'YES' and 'NOs' would mean nothing. All that matters is how the Lankan cricketers will perform on the said day and the Test. Sri Lanka's chances in the First Test beginning this week at the Gabba took a dive, when star batsman Kumar Sangakkara was ruled out with a hamstring injury.

With the Aussies determined to fire pace at the Lankan batsmen, Sangakkara's presence would have been a big boost.

But sadly he is out, and if the frontline batsmen bat like they did on the first day of the game against Queensland, than the Lankans would be hard pressed to run up a competitive score.

Cricket is a funny game and only the end will tell.