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| Sunday, 20 June 2004 |
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Murali's absence a great loss to team... Stiff test for Atapattu in Australia by Ranjan Anandappa Sri Lanka skipper Marvan Atapattu said that his team will dedicate the two Test match series to their champion World record-breaking spinner Muttiah Muralitharan as they left for Australia last morning. After some speculation, Muralitharan finally decided not to tour Australia due to personal reasons. "Murali's decision not to make the tour is a great loss for the team, but, it is a big challenge ahead without the off-spinner who has been an integral part of the bowling armoury", said Atapattu. The Lankans have five fast bowlers namely Vaas, Dilhara Fernando, Nuwan Zoysa, Ferveez Maharoof and young Lasith Malinga who is about the fastest. The two spinners are left- armer Rangana Herath and right-arm leg-spinner Upul Chandana - that will be the Lanka bowling composition. Atapattu led Sri Lanka for the time in a Test match in South Africa two years ago where he should have pulled off the third Test in favour of Sri Lanka in Centurion Park with a bit of luck. Now he faces the stiffest test while leading his country in Australia after a relatively easy and one sided series against Zimbabwe. When the Aussies were here early this year, Sri Lanka threw away the Test matches after being in winning positions and restricting them for low scores in the first innings. "The Australians showed courage and determination with a professional approach to the game in the second innings. We couldn't compete with them throughout five days that's what we were lacking." "We should play more positively and should not lose wickets at vital stages like someone getting run out while building up a score." "A player could be taught the basics, but, a run out is something different as players are different individuals with two minds. We will be playing a Test match without an off-spinner after a long time," said Atapattu. There are off-spinners like Arnold, Samaraweera and even Dilshan who are better known batsmen. A spinner of significant stature of Muralitharan will be badly missed. "Whatever he does on the cricket field, he does it with great purpose and always he is raring to go, let it be bowling, batting or fielding", said the Sri Lanka captain. "Not many Test matches have been played in the two new venues Cairns and Darwin. We have studied the video tapes of the last Australia-Bangladesh series which were played there," added Atapattu. Sri Lanka will play back to back Test matches in early July and a four-day practice game prior to the Tests. The tour party: Marvan Atapattu (captain), Mahela Jayawardena (v. captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Russell Arnold, Thilan Samaraweera, T. M. Dilshan, Romesh Kaluvitharana, Ferveez Maharoof, Chaminda Vaas, Dilhara Fernando, Nuwan Zoysa, Lasith Malinga, Rangana Herath, Upul Chandana. |
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