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| May 13, 2003 | Tuesday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 10, 1424 |
Lankans cricketers feel strangers in their own country
DAMBULLA (Sri Lanka), May 12: Sri Lanka skipper Marvan Atapattu believes favourable playing conditions have effectively given home advantage to New Zealand ahead of their crucial tri-series one-dayer here on Tuesday.
New Zealand have thrived in the overcast weather and seamer-friendly wickets, leaving Atapattu and Sri Lanka facing an uphill struggle against the Kiwis.
A lone One-day International had been played here before this series, with Sri Lanka beating England by five wickets in 2001.
“These conditions are new to us,” Atapattu said. “We haven’t played here much, but I’m a bit surprised that we have pitches like these here.
I think pitches (seamer-friendly) and conditions (overcast weather) here suit New Zealand more than us,” said Atapattu.
Sri Lanka failed to cope with the Pakistani pace attack on a lively track in the opening game on Saturday, losing by 79 runs.
Pakistan also met with the same fate on Sunday as they crashed to their lowest total of 116 against New Zealand before losing the game by seven wickets on a bouncy pitch.
New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming was beaming after his side adapted to their home from home.
“We seem to be the best suited (to conditions) at the moment,” said Fleming.
“We are used to playing on such pitches at home. These are not traditional Sri Lankan tracks. There is no complaints from us, but from spectators’ point of view, it’s disappointing. It’s not ideal batting wicket for one-dayers.”
The Sri Lankan captain, however, said the pitch was not the sole reason for his team’s dismal batting performance against Pakistan.
“There are no excuses for our poor batting in the first match,” said Atapattu. “We know that runs won’t come easily on such pitches, but we have to bat positively against New Zealand. It’s a must-win game for us.
“Our middle-order batting has been inconsistent for the past six-seven months. Too many batsmen have been going through a lean patch for a long time. It’s time every batsman contributed in this match.”
Encouraging news for Sri Lanka was that hard-hitting opener Sanath Jayasuriya was likely to figure in Tuesday’s game.
“He should be ok for the match,” Atapattu said of Jayasuriya, who is suffering from a bad throat.
“We’d like to see him among runs against New Zealand, but we can’t always rely on one batsman. Others should also contribute,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan cricket board has ruled out shifting the second-leg of three matches from rain-hit Colombo to this venue.
Board secretary Jaliya Jayasuriya told a national daily that the hotel where the three teams were staying here was fully booked on days of the matches — May 17, 18 and 19.
He said the board would try to host the final here if there was a possibility of rain in Colombo.
The day-night final is scheduled to be played at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on May 23.
Meanwhile, New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond is a doubtful starter for Tuesday’s match, manager Jeff Crowe said on Monday.
“He (Bond) is unlikely to play in the match because of a lower back strain,” Crowe said.
Crowe said the team management had so far not sought a replacement but asked Paul Wiseman to remain as cover for Bond.
Bond, 27, bowled just five overs in Sunday’s victory against Pakistan before leaving the field.
New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming said the team would miss the fast bowler against the hosts.
“It’s very difficult to replace Bond. If he does not regain fitness, either Andre Adams or Kyle Mills will come in his place,” said Fleming.
Bond, who grabbed 2-7 in five overs against Pakistan, has so far taken 51 wickets in 27 One-day Internationals.
Teams (from):
Sri Lanka: Marvan Atapattu (captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Russel Arnold, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Prabath Nissanka, Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Muralitharan, Kaushalya Weereratne, Upul Chandana, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Kumar Dharmasena, Dharshana Gamage.
New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (captain), Chris Nevin, Lou Vincent, Scott Styris, Chris Cairns, Chris Harris, Brendon McCullum, Andre Adams, Jacob Oram, Daniel Vettori, Shane Bond, Daryl Tuffey, Matthew Horne, Kyle Mills, Paul Wiseman.—AFP
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