Sri Lanka and England set to begin historic series

One hot summer's day in Kennington two and a half years ago, a charming bunch of little-known cricketers defeated England by 10 wickets. They did so despite the home side scoring over 400 in their first innings. Sri Lanka could finally be ignored no longer, and the first three-Test series between the two countries is now about to commence.

Sanath Jayasuriya - Sri Lankan star Photo Leo de Lisle

It promises to be a great one too. Both sides have enjoyed a progressive two years since that Oval Test in 1998. Sri Lanka have bid farewell to Arjuna Ranatunga, the feisty leader who put their cricket on the world map, but still have the stars of that memorable match, namely Sanath Jayasuriya, Aravinda de Silva, and Muttiah Muralitharan.

England have enjoyed a revival in the last 12 months, winning three series on the trot. What is more, they beat Pakistan at home after a nerveless performance in the dying moments of the final Test in Karachi. Whilst touring the sub-continent may previously have conjured up dread, this England team has been a contented bunch in Sri Lanka.

Nasser Hussain is, however, under no illusions. His team may have performed admirably in their three practice matches, but the real action starts now in Galle, in stifling heat and on a pitch that could turn square.

"The task ahead of us in Sri Lanka is going to be tougher than Pakistan. To win out here would be a great achievement. We have already seen how talented they are," said Hussain today.

"We are confident though, having won three series on the trot, but we are also realistic. We know what is ahead of us. There is no kidding each other. I will make it crystal clear in the meeting that it is going to be every difficult."

England are trying to dampen down expectations, but they know that this series is a opportune moment to take on the home side. Ranatunga has departed, Aravinda de Silva is ageing quickly and Sri Lanka have just returned from a wretched tour of South Africa. Hussain acknowledges as much: "It is a very important game for them. They have had some poor results recently overseas and will be looking to come back here. If we can knock them early it will be a huge bonus for us."

Sanath Jayasuriya wants to consign South Africa to history and is looking forward to playing in local conditions again: "Yes, South Africa was a disappointment. We did not do well in any department of the game. However, that is history now. Morale was boosted in New Zealand, the batsmen scored runs and everything came together. Everything now looks good for us before the First Test Match."

Although impressed by England's performance in Pakistan, Jayasuriya is confident of winning the series: "We are confident, but you cannot take any series easily. England have improved, they have come with a plan, and must be very confident having won the series in Pakistan. Whether they are yet used to these sub-continental conditions, I am not sure. It will be tough for them."

Sri Lanka will go into the First Test not totally sure about the fitness of their magical off-spinner, Muttiah Muralitharan, who took 16 wickets during his last encounter against England. Murali admits he is taking a risk: "I bowled for about 50 minutes today and I think I am about 90% fit. Sometimes, however, you have to take a chance."

Jayasuriya is determined that he should play, even it means hiding him in the field: "Muralitharan is the best bowler we have, has been for many years now and he will be a key man in this series. He has to play."

Nevertheless, the Sri Lankans are likely to reduce his workload and are considering playing an extra spinner to provide cover should he break down. In an ideal world they would like to play seven batsmen and four bowlers, but they will make a final decision in the morning. The fact that three batsmen are spinning all-rounders is likely to swing the debate in favour of seven batsmen.

Sri Lanka have an additional fitness worry. A virus has spread through the team during the past week and Nuwan Zoysa, the left arm fast bowler, is doubtful. Should he be unable to play then Dilhara Fernando, a genuine quick bowler with unreliable radar, will partner Chaminda Vaas.

England too have difficult selection problems to ponder. Hussain admitted: "I have made up my mind as to what team I would like," but he refuses to confirm it until further discussions with Duncan Fletcher after practice tonight. They are seriously considering playing just two fast bowlers and seven batsmen. This means that Andy Caddick would have to step down.

This though would be risky and endanger England's simple strategy of "frustrate and wait". England know that the Sri Lankans like to score quickly, and believe that the best form of attack may actually be defence.

According to Hussain: "Their batters love to hit boundaries and we have got to try and grind them down. That is exactly what they will try to do to us. We have got to have control." Andrew Caddick is one man that can provide this, hence the quandary.

But seven batsmen against Muralitharan would be mightily useful, and Hussain is resigned to him taking wickets: "Obviously he is a big threat and we feel we have to see him out. There are different ways of seeing him off, whether it is the offensive Craig White approach or a more defensive one.

"He is going to get wickets, he has done so throughout his career, we just have to make sure that he has to bowl a hell of a lot of overs for them and push his strike rate down, like we did to Saqlain Mushtaq."

Both Hussain and Jayasuriya will be hoping that they win the toss. The wicket will be at its best for batting in the first two days, and both sides would dearly love extra time to rest their spinners. Whoever wins, we can look forward to some enthralling cricket.