The threatening rains have not materialised and if the present weather continues an interesting game of cricket is on the cards.
In the First Test there was little to choose between the two teams. The teams were on top at certain stages of the game, but they lacked that little extra to capitalise on the advantage.
BEST MOMENT
Pakistan had the best moment of the game when they had Sri Lanka two wickets down in the second innings and only five runs ahead. But the gallant stand by Aravinda de Silva and Arjuna Ranatunga turned things round for the home team.
While the Sri Lankan batting can hold its own against the best in the game, it is the bowling that is of constant worry to Ranatunga. He has only two bowlers of Test class - Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitheran. Except for them the bowling cupboard is bare.
How Ranatunga must be hoping for a leg spinner of the class of Pakistani Mushtaq Ahmed? It is a pity that bowlers of this type are not coming along. Leg spin, googly bowling is the most difficult art to master and this is probably why youngsters are not taking to it.
TOP LEG SPINNERS
In the past Sri Lankan had top leg spinners of the calibre of T. Shanmuganathan, C. Ivers Gunasekera, Gamini Goonasena, Lucian de Zoysa, Neville Ponniah, Michael Tissera, M. L. Idroos, Raja de Silva, Vere de Silva, Sarath Vithanage, yours truly, D. S. de Silva, Sanjeewa Weerasinghe, Roshan Gunaratne and 'Kunju' Balendra to name a few. But now except Upul Chandana there is no one of class.
The Cricket Board's coaching committee will do well to launch out on a leg spin-googly bowling finding mission.
Speaking of leg spin, we have heard that Andare the court jester was a top class leg spinner in the true sense. Only he didn't play much for he was the 12th man in his school team for five years and was the 12th man for his club as long as he went for practice.
SIDE STRAIN
Muralitharan is out with a side strain and his announcement would come as a relief to the Pakistanis but not for Ranatunga who will certainly miss the wiles and wicket taking ability of this prodigious spinner of the ball.
Once again youngsters Russel Arnold and Marvan Atapattu get the opportunity to consolidate their positions. In the first test they batted well, although Atapattu failed in the first innings. They must be told to stay put at the wicket and that the runs will come.
When they seemed settled in for a long innings they threw it away with their impatience and rash strokeplay. One hopes that they have got the message and will not mess up in this game.
WENT FOR SIX
Sri Lanka's attacking strategy went for a six when they lost key fast bowler Nuwan Zoysa early on followed by Jayasuriya. Being two bowlers short there was nothing much that Ranatunga could do to probe for victory.
Once again in batting the frontline carries a big responsibility and if they bat first a 400-plus total is a must.
As for the Pakistanis they are no pushover side. Even without their stars they are a side to be reckoned with. Under pressure they can be cornered and this is what Ranatunga will be aiming to do.
In the First test it warmed the cockles to hear former Sri Lanka skipper and Asia's best wicket of that period Dr. H. I. K. Fernando giving experts comments on radio.
KNOWLEDGEABLE
His comments were knowledgeable, well thought out and had the listener learning a lot. More of the calibre of 'H. I. K.' are needed now that the game is at the top level.
We are told that another former Sri Lankan captain Anura Tennekoon will be taking 'H.I.K.'s place in the Second Test. Tennekoon too is good listening.
This shows that SLBC sports Editor Soma Rodrigo in picking cricketers of such calibre knows her cricket. Well done Soma!
Incidently it was also nice to hear Laddie Hettiarachchi back on radio doing sports programmes. It was the late Tommy Perera and Laddie who pioneered this concept. Hettiarachchi is sure to attract a lot of listeners and Robbialac the sponsors of the programme must certainly be proud of their new buy.