Before the spin comes the swing, and it could prove Australia’s trump card in getting their Test series against Sri Lanka off to a winning start in Kandy.
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David Warner believes he plays his best cricket when he is fresh.
Cricket legend Muttiah Muralitharan is at the centre of a heated controversy ahead of the first Test between Sri Lanka and Australia, with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) accusing the off-spinner of berating the manager and conducting centre-wicket training at the Pallekele Cricket Stadium without permission.
Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews (c), Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Janith Perera, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Roshen Silva, Nuwan Pradeep, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, Suranga Lakmal.
Australian captain Steve Smith has urged Mitch Marsh to show “intent” with the bat in order to rubber-stamp the all-rounder’s role, as the tourists seriously contemplate bowling first if they win the toss in the series opener against Sri Lanka on Tuesday. Australia, on the other hand, is looking to be a very confident team as they have not lost even a single test match under Steven Smith and they are also the number 1 team in the test matches.
Left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe, who was included alongside Lyon, was brought on in the ninth over by Australia captain Steve Smith and he was rewarded when he dismissed Mathews.
Murali also had to defend accusations he was responsible for securing a spin-friendly wicket to help Australia adapt in last week’s practice match.
Sri Lanka bowler Rangana Herath, left, celebrates the dismissal of Australia’s batsman Usman Khawaja during the second day of the first test cricket match between Sri Lanka and Australia in Pallekele, Sri Lanka, Wednesday, July 27, 2016. He was trapped in front by Mitchell Starc.
Sri Lanka’s 15 for 2 had become 18 for 3, and Mathews might have started to wish he had lost the toss after all.
The innings lasted less than seven overs after the interval, with Lyon striking twice in the over after lunch and doing most of the damage. “We have worked out a few things here and there in that innings, so we will look to keep on top of them with those plans through the series”. Lyon had bowled just a single over before lunch but took two wickets within the first four deliveries after the break.
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The dynamic left-hander, averaging 50.06 in 51 Tests, hopes this latest injury experience returns similar results, when the three-Test series opens in the central providence city of Kandy – the country’s second-largest city after Colombo.
