ZCZC
BSP-22
CRICKET-SRI-ENG-CHANDIMAL
Chandimal looks to put England in a spin at Galle
GALLE, Sri Lanka, Nov 5, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Skipper Dinesh Chandimal Monday
said Sri Lanka’s spinners are ready to fire in the first Test against England
in Galle as the hosts eye a winning farewell for the retiring Rangana Herath.
Sri Lanka, who went down to the tourists 3-1 in the five one-day
internationals and also lost a one-off Twenty20 match, are looking for
redemption in the three-Test series starting Tuesday.
Spinners Dilruwan Perera and Akila Dananjaya are expected to partner
Herath in his final international outing on a turning Galle track that has
seen rain in the lead up to the match.
“When you look at the Galle pitch, it’s always turning and helpful to
spinners,” Chandimal told reporters.
“When we play in Sri Lanka, it’s spinners who take charge. Then again,
it’s all about weather and the condition of the pitch.”
But England are also ready with their battery of spinners led by Moeen
Ali. Jack Leach, Joe Denly and Adil Rashid will also be fighting for a place
in the starting line-up.
Skipper Joe Root also admitted on Monday that spin would “play a huge
part” but said the was ready for anything.
“We’ve just got to adapt very well, very quickly and read the situation.
“We’ve got a very balanced squad with plenty of different options… From
that point of view I feel we’ll be very well prepared for whatever surface is
thrown at us.”
The match will also be England’s first Test since stalwart Alastair Cook
hung up his bat in September following the home side’s 4-1 drubbing of India.
“It will be my first Test match without playing with Alastair. It’s a big
loss in terms of experience and everything he brings to the squad and the
team,” said Root.
“Of course we miss him. But it’s a great opportunity for someone else to
make that spot their own, stand up and do something special for England.”
Keaton Jennings is expected to open alongside Rory Burns, who is set for
his Test debut as Cook’s replacement.
– Herath’s hurrah –
But the spotlight in Galle remains on the departing Herath, the most
successful left-arm spinner in history, as he seeks a fairytale swansong.
Herath made his debut at Galle in 1999, got a hat-trick there in 2016 and
is one scalp away from a century of wickets at the picturesque venue.
Only two other bowlers have achieved this feat — compatriot Muttiah
Muralitharan at Galle, Kandy and SSC Colombo, and England paceman James
Anderson at Lord’s.
The 40-year-old Herath has taken 430 wickets in 92 Tests and is among the
top 10 wicket-takers in five-day history.
“We have few things under the sleeve (for Herath). We don’t want to reveal
all because we want him to be surprised,” said Chandimal.
“The main thing is, if we can win this game and the series, that will be a
really good farewell for him. That’s what the team is looking forward to,” he
said.
Root said his team also wants to do something for Herath as he hailed his
“phenomenal longevity” in a career spanning 19 years.
But Root warned his players against getting affected by the occasion.
“I’m very aware of how skillful he is and how he’ll try and get us out,”
said Root.
“Of course there’ll be a lot of noise around him and it being his last
game.
“But we’ve got to play 11 Sri Lankan players who could all equally affect
the game and that respect has to be there for the whole team.”
BSS/AFP/BZC/1810HRS