Captain Fantasy's Diary #5

Just so the comments don't get too far ahead of themselves (and 'entries'), this one post to keep things neck and neck.

Entry number 21 (Take that comment number 22!): Thankfully, there's more to this than just one-upmanship. Like what is India going to do today with their tottering first innings and the daunting prospect of a second innings following on against the twin menace of Mendis and Murali and - as one of Captain's readers so incredulously asked - why I have Mendis in my fantasy side instead of Murali?

Even a brass monkey will tell you that at the SSC, Murali has more wickets than is humanly possible for a bowler to take. Only an ignorant fool will choose not to pencil in the old pro in his own backyard, the SSC? No Murali and Mendis? Brave. No Murali? Incredible.

First things first, why not both: Simple rule of mouse for fantasy players and captains in a Sri v Anyone series in what looks like the start of fortress Serendib (old name for Sri Lanka): When in Sri Lanka, pack your fantasy side with the best of Sri Lanka. Then, curse the 'not more than 'X' number of players from one country' rule. Then, pick up the best of India. Then, curse your limited budget. Then, that's why I have Mendis in my side instead of Murali. And not both. I had limited _FMs to play with. I had to make an 'either Mendis or Murali' punt. And I got it wrong in the first innings. But the game is not up. There's still the second half. Mendis might still bag me a hat-full of wickets.

Then, looking at the way Mendis is shaping, it's always going to be the threat of a 'one-two' Sri Lankan knock-out from now on, whenever any side plays them. Especially in Sri Lanka. What with their batsmen never looking like getting out on their home wickets and, now, with two 'magic' bowlers in their side, it's Sri Lanka - not India - which promises to be the next 'final frontier' for overseas sides. Question: Which side in the world looks most likely to beat Sri Lanka at home?

Until yesterday, I thought it was India. If the old pros in the Indian side can help it might still be. Sachin, Sourav, Rahul, Laxman ... even though, India doesn't have a great record when called upon to bat out of their skins to save a Test match, would it be too much to expect four great batsmen who have a combined aggregate of over 30,000 runs to unravel the spin conundrums being posed by the wizardry of Murali and Mendis? In Sri Lanka, at the SSC ... maybe.