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| Sunday, 28 July 2002 |
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Muralitharan out ... selectors give youth a 'go' against Bangladesh in 2nd Test by RANJAN ANANDAPPA All speculations of the possibilities of off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan playing in the second and final cricket Test against Bangladesh was dispelled as the selectors stuck to their original squad as the ACL second Test between the two countries begin today at the Sinhalese Sports Club grounds. Muralitharan is on the verge of creating a new Test bowling record as he is on par with Sir Richard Hadlee of taking five wickets in a test innings on 36 occasions and another 5-wicket haul in a Test innings will help him to overtake the former New Zealand allrounder's unique feat. "We will have to play with the team that the selectors have chosen and the non-availability of Muralitharan will deprive him in breaking a record on home soil", said Sanath Jayasuriya, the Sri Lanka captain. Sri Lanka will go into the Test with only three experienced batsmen, namely Jayasuriya, Aravinda de Silva and Hashan Tillekeratne. The selectors seem to be keen on grooming youth. Jayasuriya will drop himself down in the batting order as he did in the first Test where he struck a rapid century. Six-foot left-handers Michael Vandort, with a solitary Test behind him, that too against Bangladesh and Jehan Mubarak, making his Test debut, most probably will open the batting for Sri Lanka. Bangladesh who lost the first Test within three days by an innings are hoping to make a few changes for today's Test. They have already flown in two players who were in the stand by list - Tapash Kumar Baishya, a medium pacer and Alok Kopali, a right-arm leg-spinner. Tapash Baishya will replace injured paceman Tarek Aziz Khan who has left for home. Bangladesh is also hoping to include Mohammed Ashraful in their team. Ashraful made a dream debut for his country becoming the youngest batsman to hit a century on first Test appearance at the SSC in a Asian Championship Test against Sri Lanka. However, he has not lived up to expectations thereafter and has been a failure. Teams Sri Lanka (from): Sanath Jayasuriya (captain), Aravinda de Silva, Jehan Mubarak, Michael Vandort, Naveed Nawaz, Tilan Samaraweera, Prasanna Jayawardena (wicket-keeper), Upul Chandana, Hashan Tillekeratne, Charitha Buddika Fernando, Sujeeva de Silva, Chamila Gamage, Hasantha Fernando, Pulasthi Gunaratne, Chamara Silva. Bangladesh (from): Khaled Mashud (captain, wicket-keeper), Habibul Bashar, Aminul Islam, Akram Khan, Al Sahariar, Eshanul Hoque, Abdul Hannan Sarkar, Mohammed Ashraful, Tushar Imran, Fahim Rahaman, Enamul Hoque, Monjurul Islam, Alamgir Kabir, Talha Jubaer, Tapash Baishya, Alok Kopali. Umpires: David Shepherd (England), Steve Bucknor (West Indies). TV Umpire: Peter Manuel. Match referee: Wasim Hassan Raja (Pakistan). |
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