Sri Lanka team leaves for Australia on Thursday

No room for additional spinner, says Mahela

by Ranjan Anandappa

CRICKET: Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardena said that there will be no room for an additional spinner in the team specially a limited over series in Australia, and believed that an additional spinner in the side would have tilted the balance of the side and expressed his faith in some of his back up bowlers mainly allrounders, who could fit into the additional spinners role effectively.

Experience Sanath Jayasuriya, T. M. Dilshan, Chamara Silva, Dilruwan Perera and Chamara Kapugedera are all good batsmen who could bowl well. They should take the role and perform, that's what makes a good one day team when the guys put their hands up and contribute in a different way. Murali will probably do the job which he is required to do.

Jayawardena said that it is unfortunate that Bandara could not find a place as only the best combination of 15 players could be taken on the tour.

"If the additional spinner had been selected it would have been at the expense of a batsman or a fast bowler. We felt that we needed the extra batsman and the fast bowler in those conditions. We did not see the possibility of playing two spinners in any game, unless Muralitharan pulls out due to an injury. Then the case of a second spinner could surface and we could get Bandara to fly over" said Mahela.

"The six fast bowlers that have been included are of six different types and are capable of exploiting different conditions. We feel that these bowlers are bowling really well and could be advantageous in those conditions. Specially in Australia where each wicket differs to the other" he said.

Jayawardena said that his side was a good and a balanced one and his first ambition was to get into the best of three finals.

"To do that we need to win at least fifty percent of our matches. We need to take one game at a time and be certain that we play the right combination and get the players motivated. It is bound to be a tough series and a good one for most of our players to gain experience."

Sri Lanka will embark on their second 'leg' of the Australian tour on Thursday (24 January) to participate in the Commonwealth Bank limited over cricket series featuring host, Australia and India.

Earlier in November 2007 the Lankans played two Tests against Aussies and lost both in Brisbane and Hobart.

The Lankans will take on India on February 5th at the Woolangabba Cricket stadium in a day\night competition. India will meet Australia in the opening game on February 3 also in a D\N match at the same venue.

Skipper Mahela Jayawardena said that the most important aspect is to get things going and get used to the conditions as soon as possible as it is going to be a very tough challenge ahead, which he is looking forward to it.

"Like the Aussies or any other side India will definitely come strong at us, and we just have to be prepared for it" said the Lankan captain. "

The Indians were eliminated at the initial stages of the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies. Sri Lanka with Bangladesh were responsible for that.

The match schedule.

February 3. Australia Vs India at Brisbane D\N.
Feb. 5 India Vs Sri Lanka at Brisbane D\N.
February 8 Australia Vs Sri Lanka at Sydney D\N.
February 10. Australia Vs India at Melbourne D\N.
February 12. Sri Lanka Vs India at Canbera. (Day match)
February 15. Australia Vs Sri Lanka WACA Perth D\N.
Feb. 17 Australia Vs India at Adelaide D\N.
Feb.19. Sri Lanka Vs India at Adelaide D\N.
Feb. 22 Australia Vs Sri Lanka at Melbourne D\N.
Feb. 24 Australia Vs India at Sydney D\N.
Feb. 26. India Vs Sri Lanka at Hobart. (day match).
Feb. 29 Australia Vs Sri Lanka at Melbourne D\N.
March 2 First final at Sydney (Day match).
March 4. Second final at Brisbane D\N.
March 7 Third final if required at Adelaide.

Sri Lanka squad. Mahela Jayawardena (Captain), Kumar Sangakkara (Vice Captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Tharanga, Chamara Silva, T. M. Dilshan, Chamara Kapugedera, Ferveez Maharoof, Dilruwan Perera, Chaminda Vaas, Lasith Malinga, Ishara Amarasinghe, Chanaka Welegedera, Muthiah Muralitharan, Nuwan Kulasekera. Officials. Sriyan Samararatne (Manager). Trevor Bayliss (Coach). Paul Farbrace (Ass. coach). Tommy Simsek (Physio). Jade Roberts (Trainer). Nalin de Alwis (Computer Analyst). Lal Thamel (Masseur). S. Don Arunasiri (Selector on tour).