Quick viewing(Text Mode)

Struggling Sri Lanka Weaken Batting Further for Third Test

Struggling Sri Lanka Weaken Batting Further for Third Test

Thursday 3rd November, 2011 Dilshan to open and Kulasekara set to make debut New ball rule may have prompted Struggling weaken Dilhara recall REX CLEMENTINE reporting from Sharjah The recall of misfiring fast bowler into the national side has further for third Test been greeted with dismay and disbelief in some quarters as national selectors had agreed that the 32-year-old was past his REX CLEMENTINE six batsmen and five bowlers and open- is set to make his debut as Sri Lanka best after a disappointing series in England, reporting from Sharjah er was left out of boosted their attack. Fast where he returned home early with a ham- the side last night. bowler was also named string injury. It has been Sri Lanka’s batting that will open the in the 12, but Kulasekara looks likely to But his sudden recall to the side for the has let them down badly in the last six innings having played in the middle play. ODI series against surprised months with the team struggling for order in the last three Tests. It’s learnt The Sri Lankans were also looking at many and captain Tillakaratne Dilshan pro- excellence, but in a bid to strengthen that coach Geoff Marsh had also an additional spin bowling option and vided the answers why Fernando was back the bowling attack to square the three endorsed the idea of the captain open- off-spinner is set to when he addressed the media ahead of the match Test against Pakistan, the visi- ing the innings. return to the side with paceman third Test against Pakistan here at Sharjah. tors brought in an additional bowler for All-rounder Kosala Kulasekara (26) left out. “Both and Shaminda the third Test that gets underway today with a first class record of two cen- “If we go with a six-five combina- Eranga are injured. Back home they played here at Sharjah. turies and three five hauls may tion, then I will open the innings. a few practice matches and I learn that Sri Lanka will play a combination of not look a Test Match prospect, but he There’s no pressure on me as such, but Dilhara bowled really well. I spoke to the I am a bit worried about my batting. I selectors and they are happy with the way he bowled,” Dilshan told journalists yester- have worked extremely hard and look- day. ing forward for the challenge.” “Also you have to consider the fact that Dilshan is not the only player who is struggling for runs and he stressed the Sri Lanka’s Kosala Kulasekara bowls during need for all batsmen to contribute. “We need big scores from four or five guys. a training session at Sharjah Cricket Everyone is scoring 20s and 30s at the Association Stadium yesterday ahead of the moment and they are getting starts, but third Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in that’s not enough. We are batting well Sharjah. Pakistan lead the three match in the second innings, but in Test series 1-0. Pic by Lakruwan Wanniarachchi.

play, with experi- ence, you get bet- ter and the team gets better. That’s a very happy sign for me as a captain and certainly a good thing for Injuries to Nuwan Kulasekara and Shaminda Eranga Pakistan crick- and the fact that two new balls will be available dur- et,” Misbah told ing the innings have largely contributed towards journalists. Dilhara Fernando’s recall to Sri Lanka’s ODI team. from this series onwards we will have two Sri Lanka new balls available during the innings. He (Probable XI) will be handy considering those circum- Matches you need to score big in the Tillakaratne Dilshan (Captain), stances. You have to understand that till up first innings,” Dilshan added. Tharanga Paranavithana, Kumar to 35 to 40 overs there will be something for Pakistan meanwhile will play an Sangakkara, , fast bowlers. That’s one of the reasons for unchanged side. , Kaushal Silva us to opt for him,” Dilshan added. Pakistan have scored big and taken (Wicketkeeper), Kosala Kulasekara or New ICC playing conditions for One-Day 20 in both Tests, but their field- Nuwan Pradeep, Suraj Randiv, Internationals from 1st of October means that two new balls will be available in each ing has been a letdown and captain , innings. Misbah-ul-Haq insisted his team needed and Chanaka Welagedara. to put up a better show on the field. The Fernando, who made his debut in 2000, hosts could have taken the series with a has not had a permanent place in the side Pakistan (Probable XI) and his inability to rectify overstepping match to go, but some application by , Taufeeq Umar, problems hasn’t gone down too well with the Sri Lankans in the second innings Azar Ali, , Misbah-ul-Haq Sri Lankan supporters although all Sri of the first Test and several dropped (Captain), , Asad Shafiq, Lankan captains have held him in high chances meant the Test was drawn. Adnan Akmal (Wicketkeeper), Abdur regard. “Everybody is aware of that and Rehman, and . “The selectors spoke to him the last Sri Lanka’s fast bowler Dhammika Prasad appeals against during a train- working very hard. We are having good Umpires: Simon Taufel (Aus) and few days and he’s ready to deliver. He’s a ing session at Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium ahead of the third Test between Sri sessions and we are improv- Shavir Tarapore (Ind) tough guy and he’s very keen. You have to Lankan and Pakistan that gets underway today. Pic by Lakruwan Wanniarachchi. ing. One major thing is the more you Match Referee: David Boon (Aus) also understand that he has played only on and off and this is a good opportunity for him.” Afridi returns to Pakistan team Tennekoon urges for ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan squad for five one-day interna- Police launch World Cup captain is tionals against Sri Lanka in the back in the limited-overs team United Arab Emirates starting on corruption free sport formal probe into after meeting with the new head of Nov. 11. the . Afridi quit international crick- REX CLEMENTINE Afridi described his Wednesday et after falling out with former reporting from Sharjah Terry racism claim morning meeting with Zaka Ashraf PCB chairman and coach as “very positive,” and within soon after winning Former Sri Lanka captain BY ROB HARRIS hours the temperamental all- an ODI series against West Indies and the current manager of the LONDON (AP) — Police began a formal rounder was named in the 16-man in midyear. Shahid Afridi national cricket team Anura investigation Tuesday into whether Tennekoon says corruption in England and Chelsea captain John Terry cricket should be dealt with racially abused an opponent, prompting strongly to sustain the interest the English Football Association to delay in the game. the outcome of its ongoing probe. Rogge: Cricket could still Tennekoon, who captained Terry has been accused of directing a Sri Lanka in the 1975 and 1979 racial slur at Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand during Cricket World Cups, was speak- Chelsea’s 1-0 Premier League loss on Oct. ing in response to a question 23. Video of the incident was posted on the bid for Olympic status raised on the spot fixing trial internet after the match. in England that found three The Metropolitan Police assessed the LAUSANNE, said Wednesday. against (the ICC) because we Pakistan players guilty. incident after a complaint last week and Switzerland (AP) — The Rogge praised the know they participate in the “I think any form of corrup- decided it warrants a full investigation. criminal convictions of International Cricket fight” against fixing and ille- tion in the game should be “Police were notified of an incident on three Pakistan players for Council governing body for gal betting, Rogge said. dealt with seriously and eradi- Anura Tennekoon Sunday October 23 involving alleged racial fixing should not damage “working very well” against A London court found abuse,” police said in a statement. “This is cated so that the interest in the cricket’s hopes of becoming corruption. and “We have a programme with being investigated by officers from game is sustained,” Tennekoon, an Olympic sport, IOC The Pakistan case would Mohammad Asif guilty on the direction of the ICC. We Hammersmith and Fulham.” one of the most respected voic- President Jacques Rogge “definitely ... not be held Tuesday of conspiracy to have a training schedule for The FA, investigating the England - es in Sri Lankan cricket told tain just seven months before the start of cheat and accept corrupt youngsters who are coming in. journalists. the European Championship, will be care- payments in connection with We also educate first class and “If corruption is not wiped ful not to hinder the police probe. a test match against England international cricketers. On off then the followers of this “The Metropolitan Police has contacted at Lord’s last year. this tour we have a security beautiful game will be lost. So the FA to make us further aware of their earlier manager who looks after these from the point of safeguarding investigation into the matter,” English pleaded guilty in the betting affairs. Not only security, he the game people who are play- football’s governing body said in a state- scam. looks into the anti-corruption ment. “Due to this it would be inappropri- ing the game as well as authori- Rogge has previously sug- as well,” he added. ate for the FA to comment until the police ties of the game should wipe gested cricket’s shorter Former Pakistan captain have completed their own enquiries.” out corruption. We need to deal Twenty20 version could seek Salman Butt, fast bowlers Ferdinand, who is black, has submitted with this matter seriously and I future Olympic status. The Mohammad Amir and his account of the incident to the FA and am hopeful that it will be earliest opportunity for Mohammad Asif were found said he has “very strong feelings on the done,” Tennekoon, a former matter.” cricket to get onto the guilty of having accepted pay- CEO of The 26-year-old Englishman said he did Olympic program would be ment to bowl deliberate no added. not want to prejudice the inquiry with a the 2024 Summer Games. balls during the Lord’s Test last Colonel Naushad Ali, the fuller statement until investigations are Rogge, who has made year against England. The Manager of Pakistan cricket over. But he has used his Twitter account tackling fixing and illegal three players received ten, team said that Pakistan Cricket to re-post messages of support and con- betting a priority ahead of seven and five year bans Club (PCB) together with the demnations of racism. International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge, centre, the 2012 London Olympics, respectively from the ICC last ICC has taken several steps to The 30-year-old Terry, who has not been joins a press conference at the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, said the Pakistan case con- year and following the court charged by the FA, has said the alleged educate young cricketers on the after presenting the latest Youth Olympic Games Ambassadors for the first firmed what sports leaders case earlier this week face jail comments directed at Ferdinand have corrupt elements of the sport. terms as well. edition of the Winter Youth Olympic Games (AP) knew of the problem. been taken out of context.

Top View