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| November 18, 2003 | Tuesday | Ramazan 22, 1424 |
Strauss may debut against Sri Lanka
DAMBULLA (Sri Lanka) Nov 17: England may bring in Andrew Strauss for his debut One-Day International against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, with out-of-form Vikram Solanki possibly facing the axe.
Indian-born Solanki scored just 11 runs in three one-day matches in Bangladesh, which may prompt selectors to elevate Strauss to partner opener Marcus Trescothick.
England arrived in this central Sri Lankan town, famed for its ancient ruins, Monday from the capital Colombo, to start its three one-day and three test match campaign.
Sri Lankan selectors were under pressure to play three fast bowlers, given the condition of the pitch in the country’s newest international venue.
England is taking all precautions to face the determined Sri Lankans, who are desperate to improve their International Cricket Council rating, which ranks them in the seventh slot.
He said England will have to do a lot to beat the home side, but added superior fielding may turn the match in England’s favor.
England is now ranked third by the ICC.
One factor that may decide Tuesday’s encounter will be Sri Lanka’s legendary off-spinner, Muttiah Muralitharan.
Muralitharan has captured 342 wickets in 223 one-day internationals, conceding 22 runs per wicket.
He has bagged five wickets in an innings seven times, including his best bowling figures of 7-30 against India at the Sharjah Cup 2000.
In the last three one-day games against the West Indies last June, Muralitharan took four wickets in all, conceding 96 runs.
England will be hoping for continued strong form by Andrew Flintoff, named man of the match in each of the three one-dayers in Bangladesh.
Squads:
Sri Lanka: (From:) Marvan Atapattu (captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Russel Arnold, Chamara Silva, Upul Chandana, Kumar Dharmasena, Chaminda Vaas, Nuwan Zoysa, Nuwan Kulasekera, Dinusha Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan.
England: (From:) Michael Vaughan (captain), Marcus Trescothick, Vikram Solanki, Paul Collingwood, Andrew Flintoff, Rikki Clarke, Chris Read, Gareth Batty, Ashley Giles, James Anderson, Richard Johnson, James Kirtley, Ian Blackwell, Andrew Straus, Anthony McGrath.
Umpires: Daryl Harper (Australia) and T.H. Wijewardene (Sri Lanka).
Third umpire: Gamini Silva (Sri Lanka).
Match referee: Clive Lloyd (West Indies).—APP/AP
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