Sri Lanka Fly Off To Australia Tonight (14 Nov 1995)

Cricketers leave oozing with confidence:Lankans have it in them to beat the kangaroos

by Elmo Rodrigopulle

The Sri Lanka cricketers led by master tactician Arjuna Ranatunga fly out tonight oozing with confidence knowing full well that they have it in them to beat the kangaroos.

After the victories in New Zealand, Pakistan and Sharjah, the Lankan cricketers have finally begun to believe in themselves, a factor that is very vital in the hard grind of the established game.

What our men will be looking for is that elusive thing called luck. If luck sides with them then whatever disadvantages there are in the Lankan make-up will be evened and they can have the kangaroos on the hop.

While we can hold our own against the Aussies in the batting sector, it is in the bowling that we will be conceding the advantage. Our Wasim Akram, Chaminda Vaas will have to be at his best along with spin ace Muttiah Muralitheran.

They are two bowlers who can run through any batting side. Skipper Ranatunga will have to nurse them and use them judiciously and squeeze out the best in them.

In the fielding department there is little to choose between the teams. Excellent fielders will be on show and the team capable of grabbing the half chances, restricting the twos into ones and performing at full capacity successfully should come out victors at the end of the three test series.

Watching the first test between Australia and Pakistan, it was obvious that the Aussies will fire with top class pace to soften the batsmen and then get the spinning sensation Shane Warne to lure the batsmen to their downfall.

The Aussies will have the advantage of playing on home soil and before their adoring fans who will cheer them on with cacophony. But the Lankans have played before more vociferous cheering and it should cause them little concern.

This is the first time that the Lankans will be arriving in Aussie land and taking the field with their heads held high. In the past we arrived like lambs to the slaughter. But this time the odds are even. That the Aussies do not underate us can be gauged by the statement made by Aussie skipper Mark Taylor when he said that the Lankans are no more the team you take your five wickets against and score your hundreds. In other words he was warning his team against being complacent.

This series will undoubtedly decide the best fielding side in the world. And the Lankans are confident that they will wear this crown after the snow.

The Lankan cricketers must wear that second to none feeling when fronting up to the Aussies and that will help keep everything going in their favour.

Best of luck chaps!

Source :: Lanka Internet Services