Sri Lanka are preparing for Idea Cup Test Series
July 21, 2008
Sri Lanka are preparing for a crucial three-match Test series with India, starting this week, and the build-up has been dominated by a media frenzy over Sri Lanka’s latest unorthodox bowler, Ajantha Mendis, a mysterious finger spinner who shot to fame in the final of the Asia Cup.
When Sri Lanka’s selection committee headed by former fast bowler Ashantha de Mel meets on Monday to pick the team for the first Test against India starting on July 23, the main agenda will be to find the 6th batsman and a new ball partner for Chaminda Vaas as some of the key bowlers like Lasith Malinga and Farveez Maharoof are nursing injuries.
Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan leads the trio with a record 735 Test scalps, followed by the Indian duo of leg-spinner Anil Kumble (608) and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh (275).
Rarely has a Test series seen such a combination of spinners with so many wickets under their belts and, although they have different styles each is a proven match-winner.
Sri Lanka’s latest sensation Ajantha Mendis, who is expected to make his Test debut after commendable performances in one-day internationals.
Mendis, 23, made a mockery of the famed Indian line-up in the Asia Cup final in Karachi this month, grabbing 6-13 with shrewd variations to guide his team to an emphatic 100-run victory.
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