Test two will be intense as the Bangladesh challenge looms real. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor).
Sri Lanka escaped embarrassment in Galle thanks to the weather gods and now has to reassess and regroup in Colombo at the SSC, to try and overcome a determined Bangladesh.
Once the easybeats in world cricket, Bangladesh is anything but, right now. So Sri Lanka’s task of taking a series lead will be an acid test and expose their strength at home in the opening World Test Championship.
The draw in Galle confirmed Sri Lanka’s vulnerability at a venue that was once a potential advantage to the home side.
Unusual totals in Galle signalled a change in the characteristics of the pitches although Sri Lanka struggled on day five and could have lost if Bangladesh skipper Shanto timed his declaration better.
A leading scribe in Sri Lanka good humouredly suggested that Shanto should have been named man- of -the -match for his over cautious declaration that may have cost them the game.
Sri Lanka’s batters showed promise with prolific opener Pathum Nissanka showing brilliant form as did Dinesh Chandimal and Kamindu Mendis, with retiring veteran Angelo Matthews, Milan Rathnayake and Lahiru Udara adding useful knocks.
Angelo Matthews will be hoping his retirement in the first Test spurs Sri Lanka to a series win and leaves a lasting impression after his farewell game of Test cricket.
After a wonderful career that has endured over two decades, he has been a match winner for his country on many occasions. Especially when the chips were down.. His contribution leaves a memorable legacy that will take some doing after being the backbone of Sri Lanka cricket in an all-round capacity.
Matthews joins Aravinda de Silva, Kumar Sangakkara Mahela Jayawardena, Marvan Atapattu, Sanath Jayasuriya, Tillekeratne Dilshan and a few others legends of Sri Lanka cricket in retirement.
Sri Lanka will be hoping their bowlers will find better penetration after they conceded nearly 800 runs in Galle causing much concern against an experienced Bangladesh batting line-up that boasts an abundance of experience and talent.
Sri Lanka has reshuffled the team from Galle with Nilan Rathnayake pulling out with injury and a few others replaced gor the conditions in Colombo.
Mushufir Rahim, skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and a host of others present a serious challenge to Sri Lanka’s aspirations to gain an upperhand making this decider in the two Test series riveting.
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka then go into a three match one-day and T20 series in Colombo and Pallekelle.
