Vaas, Murali’s absence isn’t a big worry

Lanka to assess Arnold, Chandana’s performance before naming World Cup squad

On the eve of their opener in the four-match one-day series against a high-on-confidence Indian outfit, a depleted Sri Lankan side would like to remember that the last two times they played at the Eden they left the field with happy faces.

In fact, on the last occasion the Lankans amassed the highest ever score at this venue — 309 against the Pakistanis to win the first final of the Independence Cup way back in 1997. The other sweet memory they carry of this beautiful ground is winning the 1996 World Cup semi-final match against India.

The visitors may be missing the services of two of their greatest bowlers, Muttiah Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas, going into tomorrow’s match, but they are here with their run machine — Sanath Jayasuriya who played a stellar role in their World Cup semi-final victory. And the fans here would love to see some big-hitting from the 38-year-old crafty batsman in what might be his last ODI at the Eden.

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Neither the team’s coach nor the skipper looked too bothered over the absence of the stars. Coach Tom Moody said the absence of the two specialist bowlers will not affect the performance of the side.

“It’s not like that. Yes, their presence would have strengthened us. But the others who have come here should not be ignored,” the Australian told reporters.

Moody, who was in the race to take over from John Buchanan as the coach of the Australian team, avoided a direct answer when asked to comment on his assistant Tim Nielsen’s appointment at the helm. “My two years with the Sri Lankan national side have been simply superb. Now my whole focus is on the World Cup. Naturally, I don’t want to shift from my focus on the matter,” Moody remarked.

The Sri Lankans went through two gruelling hours of training in the evening under floodlights. This morning the team had a three-hour rigorous workout and fitness training session before rounding it off with knocking at the nets.

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The Sri Lankan team management informed that there is no player on the injury list. Skipper Mahela Jayawardene said: “All of us are fully fit and ready to take on our opposition.”

The Sri Lankan team management has brought two experienced players to India to asses their performance in this four-match series before considering them for the World Cup in March-April. They are Russell Arnold and Upal Chandana.

A source close to the Lankan think-tank told The Indian Express: “Russell was dropped in 2004 and made a comeback in the same year against New Zealand. He has been named in the squad here. But as far as Arnold’s inclusion in the World Cup is concerned, the team management will minutely observe his performance in this four-match series.”

“Besides Arnold, we have Chandana who has got back into the squad following Muralidharan’s withdrawal. There is no doubt that Chandana is a quality spinner and can also score runs in crunch situations.”