Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews has said they don't have an advantage
just because South Africa has a new captain. "Changing the captain
doesn't really matter because they've still got those players in the
team," Mathews said. "They're a very strong team to beat. They've lost
to us in the past but they've played some really good cricket in the
recent past so we can't be complacent." Stalwart Mahela Jayawardene has
declared this series to be his second-to-last in tests. Mathews conceded
it will be difficult to make up for Jayawardene, who announced he will
retire next month after playing two tests each against South Africa and
Pakistan. "He's been tremendous for us in the past 15 years or so. It's
going to be a loss and difficult to fill his shoes. When I walked into
the national team he was my first captain, and I learnt a lot by looking
at him, by what he is doing on and off the field, the way he handles
situations," Mathews said. He indicated that left-hander Upul Tharanga,
who was recalled to the test sid
e after six years, would open the batting with Kaushal Silva on a pitch expected to help slow bowling as the match progresses. The second test will in Colombo from July 24-28.
Squad:
Sri Lanka: Lahiru Thirimanne, Upul Tharanga, Kaushal Silva, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews (captain), Kithuruwan Vithanage, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, Ajantha Mendis, Suranga Lakmal, Shaminda Eranga, Dhammika Prasad, Chanaka Welegedara.
source-http://www.crictoday.com/news/12341-ange
Trent Bridge groundsman Steve Birks had apologized before the first test for preparing a flat pitch, but that was partly to help Nottingham recoup expenses by trying to ensure the test lasted five days. Lord's counterpart Mick Hunt had some big-shot visitors, including England captain Alastair Cook, coach Peter Moores, managing director Paul Downton and board pitch consultant Chris Wood. None made a public statement about the conditions, but England batsmen Sam Robson and Gary Ballance were hoping for, more than expecting, a lively track. England seamers James Anderson and Stuart Broad bowled 113 overs at Trent Bridge, and won't be excited if Lord's is also placid. Anderson and Cook warned the fast bowlers won't be able to endure all five tests of the series if they aren't given pitches with more seam and bounce. "We need to have a contingency plan," Cook says. "We just need a pitch with a bit of life in it. Lord's looked green two days before the start, but its condition on Thursday morning will be what counts. It looked the same two days before the first Sri Lanka test in June."
e after six years, would open the batting with Kaushal Silva on a pitch expected to help slow bowling as the match progresses. The second test will in Colombo from July 24-28.
Squad:
Sri Lanka: Lahiru Thirimanne, Upul Tharanga, Kaushal Silva, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews (captain), Kithuruwan Vithanage, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, Ajantha Mendis, Suranga Lakmal, Shaminda Eranga, Dhammika Prasad, Chanaka Welegedara.
source-http://www.crictoday.com/news/12341-ange
Lively track at Lord's to suit English pacers
Trent Bridge groundsman Steve Birks had apologized before the first test for preparing a flat pitch, but that was partly to help Nottingham recoup expenses by trying to ensure the test lasted five days. Lord's counterpart Mick Hunt had some big-shot visitors, including England captain Alastair Cook, coach Peter Moores, managing director Paul Downton and board pitch consultant Chris Wood. None made a public statement about the conditions, but England batsmen Sam Robson and Gary Ballance were hoping for, more than expecting, a lively track. England seamers James Anderson and Stuart Broad bowled 113 overs at Trent Bridge, and won't be excited if Lord's is also placid. Anderson and Cook warned the fast bowlers won't be able to endure all five tests of the series if they aren't given pitches with more seam and bounce. "We need to have a contingency plan," Cook says. "We just need a pitch with a bit of life in it. Lord's looked green two days before the start, but its condition on Thursday morning will be what counts. It looked the same two days before the first Sri Lanka test in June."
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