Lanka to rest Murali, Vaas in final encounter
Posted on Aug 29, 2008 at 11:08 | Updated Aug 29, 2008 at 12:16
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Tags: India-Sri Lanka ODI series, fifth ODI, Colombo
Colombo: Sri Lanka have decided to replace all-rounder Tillekeratne Dilshan with Jehan Mubarak in the last game of the five-match ODI series, already clinched by India with an unassailable 3-1 lead. Also opening batsman Mahela Udawatte is included in the final 12 although whether he or Malinda Warnapura will open the batting with Sanath Jayasuriya, will be known only before the toss.
The selectors have rested Muttiah Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas, dismantling the so-called M-factor spin threat. Murali who has been bowling a lot faster and darting the ball in, has not been successful in the last two matches with only one wicket for 104 runs at an economy rate of 5.47. Mendis has given away 99 runs at 4.95 with three wickets in the first game and one in the second.
Unconfirmed reports, however, are that there has been a clash among the selectors over Jayasuriya's role whose innings of 60 gave Sri Lanka brief hope at the start of their innings in the rain-delayed forth game on Wednesday.
India aim to wrap up the series 4-1. But, as captains Dhoni and Jayawardene have already admitted, a lot depends on the toss how the landscape of the last game will shape. Most important though has been Suresh Raina's decisive role against the Lanka spin threat in the series. Raina has not only being able to read the two spinners, but has picked up the nuances of the bowler's variety also.
Raina cast aside the spooky cluttered mind-game syndrome others seemed to have developed and took him on both times, winning the battle with two well organised and intrepid half-centuries. It displays how he worked out his own gameplan, following the advice of his captain who suggested it was up to them to find the Mendis measure.
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