First Test Preview [Sri Lanka]

The first Test between Sri Lanka and Australia starts at Galle today. It will be played on a custom built spinners paradise that will turn from day one.

The pitch has been described as dry as a bone with not a blade of grass on it. Reportedly, Sri Lanka will play just one seamer – Vaas.

This situation seems to have ensured the return of Shane Warne. If Australia were to pick one spinner, a real dilemma existed. I think that the selectors have always intended to pick Warne for this Test. If Warne were competing with MacGill, it may not have rested easily dropping MacGill. It is true that MacGill was not impressive against India, but in the recent warm up match, MacGill took six wickets to Warne’s two.

Whatever the case, it seems to be a moot point as it is highly likely that they will both play. Brett Lee’s injury seems to make the decision all the more easy.

I read an article in Cricinfo which made some interesting statements. They were conjecture but these articles are usually pretty close to the mark.

The first one is that Symonds will get the nod in front of Katich. To be honest, I’m agog. Katich performed very well last summer and improved with each match. Surely a century and a seventy in the final test consolidated his place in the team. And let’s not forget that Katich bowls very useful Chinamen. I don’t believe that Symonds off spinners would cause the Sri Lankans too much concern.

I would have thought that if Symonds was really a serious contender, that he was competing with Lehmann and Martyn for a spot. Lehman was only out of the team because of injury and his recent form (a century and a double in his last two matches) justifies his return.I’m not quite sure how Katich would be dropped and Martyn retained. I was puzzled when Martyn didn’t play in the warm up match. It did seem to indicate that his spot was assured or that he was already dropped (which was unlikely). Based on the selection against the President’s XI, it did appear that it was Symonds, Lehmann and Katich playing for two spots. And they all made centuries….

The other interesting prediction was that Kasper would partner Gillespie. He’s got a big heart and he can reverse swing so it’s probably not a bad choice. Once again, it will be commiserations to Williams!

And there is one sideshow: Murali (the chucker – sorry, did I say that?) and Warne are both fast approaching 500 Test wickets. I should say that Warne was fast approaching 500 and if not for his 12 month ban would almost certainly be the world record holder by now. Murali is on 485 with Warne on 491. I’d say that’s just about the right start to make it very interesting. I still favour the man who spins the ball more than any “finger” spinner the game has known, even though he starts from behind.

Needless to say the toss will be important, with the winner certain to bat.

Cricinfo’s predicted team is:

Australia (probable): 1 Matthew Hayden, 2 Justin Langer, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Damien Martyn, 5 Darren Lehmann, 6 Andrew Symonds, 7 Adam Gilchrist (wk), 8 Shane Warne, 9 Michael Kasprowicz, 10 Jason Gillespie, 11 Stuart MacGill.

I’m hoping that it will be Katich instead of Martyn or Symonds.

Game starts at 3:30 pm EST.