|
SRI LANKANS NAME 11 BOWLERS TO COUNTER ENGLAND FIREPOWER
Sri Lankan cricket supremo and pom-hater John Dyson will field 11 bowlers in the line up for next week's Third Test in Columbo, it has been revealed. So delighted has Dyson been with the batting form of the Sri Lankan tailenders that he has seen fit to drop all the specialist batsmen in a bid to bat England out of the game.
"Our batsmen have been the weak link in this series so far", admitted the ex-pat Aussie. "They just haven't been up to the threat posed by classy bowlers such as Kirtley, Hoggard and Giles. It's the boys down the order who have exhibited the application and technique required at this level."
The selectorial move, believed to be unprecedented in international cricket, will see Muralitharan named as captain and number three batsman. Fernando and Vaas will open both main disciplines. "It's a great honour to be named skipper and a frontline batsman," grinned the Kandy Killer as he practicesd his action skimming pebbles in the Indian Ocean.
Duncan Fletcher admitted to being taken aback by Dyson's selection policy. "It's unusual to say the least," he said. "Even though Murali, Fernando and Vaas have occupied the crease for several days between them in the last two test matches I have infinite faith in our infinite conveyor belt of bowlers."
Of more concern for Fletcher is the news that Kirtley, Anderson and Croft are all ruled out of the Third Test after a freak playing card accident in training. Svelte CCC paceman Chris Knowles - known to his fans as the Cartington Terrace Stopping Train - has flown out to join the squad for this match. "It shouldn't have come to this but I know Knowles well and I'm sure he'll do a job for us," muttered the England boss with a degree of despair.
|
