Sri Lanka eyeing to beat Bangladesh with pace
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|| CF Correspondent ||
Sri Lanka Cricket chairman of selectors cum manager of the national cricket team Ashantha De Mel said that they are eyeing to gun down Bangladesh with pacer in the upcoming three-match Test series.
Sri Lanka have always relied on spin to win Test matches on home tracks but times have changed and it is sensible to rely on pace against Bangladesh as they have formidable spin options while Sri Lanka’s spinners – except maybe an aging Dilruwan Perera (38) – are raw.
Ashantha De Mel conceded that it is time to switch to pace when Bangladesh tour the island for a three match Test series.
Sri Lanka have enjoyed overwhelming success against Bangladesh having won 16 of the 20 Tests between the countries and while on paper they definitely have an edge, the tourists are no more pushovers as they proved during the tour of 2017 when they won their maiden Test match against Sri Lanka. That loss eventually cost Graeme Ford his job.
“Our thinking is to beat them with pace. It’s not definitely going to be spin. Bangladesh have a decent spin attack whereas we have a very good set of fast bowlers. So it’s sensible to stick to our strength. We might keep about five quicks in the squad. That is what the coaches are thinking,” De Mel was quoted in Sunday Island on Saturday.
A pool of 23 players will start training next week (on Thursday) after a much needed break following the conclusion of the domestic season.
Bangladesh are expected to arrive in the island later this month with a pool of 30 players and will be involved in training and practice matches. Sources said that the first Test is likely to take place on the 24th of October. SLC are in discussions with health authorities on safety measures that need to be followed during the series. Board officials said while players and match officials will be in a ‘bubble’, they were looking at the possibilities of accommodating a limited number of fans during the games.
