Quote:
Originally Posted by metallics2006
Mendis has had time to rest his fingers. Might become his old self again and rip through the batting line-up.
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I'd doubt that.
Murali will be rusty. Actually it will do him a world of good if he plays the practice match.
SL batting lineup had been very good over last few matches, but I see a glaring few faults in the line up. A lineup of Dilshan, Paranavithana, Sangakkara, M. Jayawardane, Samaraweera, Mathws and P. Jayawardane id thin in playing spin. Paranavithana, Sanga and Mathews are not known to do well against spinners, unlike many SC players. These guys prefer pacier bouncier tracks. The sublime ability of P. Jayawardane to play spin, may keep Kaushal Silva out of the side, who is a much better batsman than P. Jayawardane. Replacing Mathews with Kandamby will give Indian bowling bigger headaches, because he is a very good player of spin, but then SL will miss Mathews' useful fast-medium stuff (and ability to reverse swing the ball)
As far as bowling goes, SL might go with two seamers, two spinners and Mathews. Although Kulasekara had done well recently, Prasad and Thushara are my picks, because they have pace to make batsman hop around, and the former can bowl beautifully with the old ball.
The batsmen to watch are Mahela, Samaraweera and Dilshan. P. Jayawardane may also pull out a rabbit out of the hat. Sanga, Mathews and Paranavithana will have it tough. They'll be tested on this tour.
My side for 1st test
Dilshan, Paranavithana, Sangakkara, M. Jayawardane, Samaraweera, Mathews, P. Jayawardane, Prasad, Thushara, Murali, Mendis