By Geoffrey Dean at Lord's
First day of four: Middx 282-8 v Sri Lankans
WHILE a depleted Middlesex side inched their way towards respectability, it became clear that unrest off the field could lead to the departure of coach John Buchanan.
Following defeat in the NatWest Trophy quarter-final against Hampshire on Tuesday, Buchanan expressed his dissatisfaction at his side's preparation for that and other games this season, and intimated he may not take up his option to return next year.
The chairman of Middlesex's cricket committee, Bob Gale, revealed yesterday that Paul Downton, the former England wicketkeeper, has been asked to look into the whole question of short and long-term coaching at the county and come up with some plans. Meetings are being held between club officials, and Buchanan says he hopes to have clarified his position within the next two weeks.
At the heart of the ruction lies what Buchanan describes as ``cultural'' differences. He wants more time, practice and commitment put in by the players on non-match days, but some senior players are known to feel that his demands are too excessive.
The Australian was unhappy that there was no team meeting before the Hampshire game. ``It's probably best not to comment on why we didn't meet. Suffice it to say we didn't put in enough preparation - the way we want to train needs some good thinking about. If we want to continue as we are, then fine, but basically they don't need me to be involved as anyone can do that sort of job.''
Buchanan, who guided Queensland to two Sheffield Shield titles in three years, says that if no solution can be found to ``a couple of stumbling blocks'' he is likely to leave. ``I would like to come back, but I'm not achieving what I set out to achieve, and if I can't do that, I don't think I'm any real value to the county.''
Buchanan's directness contrasted to a somniferous day's cricket that unfurled in front of a smallish crowd that were as quiet as a class in detention. Finally, they were sufficiently roused at 5.45 to applaud noisily David Goodchild's maiden hundred, painstakingly grafted from 257 balls.
The difficulty that batsmen had in playing shots on the slow, low pitch was matched by the PA announcer's difficulty in pronouncing some of the Sri Lankans' names. Their bowlers were steady enough but their abysmal over-rate ensured that the day progressed at an annoyingly slow rate.
Goodchild, dropped at second slip when 38 off Ravindra Pushpakumara, batted with impressive self-discipline for a 21-year-old before being run out by a direct hit after nearly six hours at the crease.
Day 2: Sri Lankans find their feet
By Geoffrey Dean
AFTER an unsteady start to their tour, the Sri Lankans are finding their feet. Their mainly second-string seamers bowled decently to dismiss Middlesex for 313 on a flat pitch, and their top order brought with them their good form from Leicester, racing along at five an over to reach 124 for one at tea.
Ranjit Fernando, the tourists' charming tour manager, admitted that being bowled out for 54 by Glamorgan a fortnight ago had made his side ``sit back and think''.
He added: ``We were very disappointed with that, but it was a question really of adjusting. Part of the problem was that we hadn't had any real outdoor practice before the Somerset game.''
Runs have flowed since the Cardiff debacle with the Leicestershire attack being caned for 509. Marvan Atapattu, who will open with Sanath Jayasuriya in the Oval Test, looked in prime form yesterday, cracking an unbeaten 67 from 87 balls.
Jayasuriya, short of first-class runs on the tour, edged an outswinger from Chris Batt to gulley, but Fernando says his form is not a concern. ``He played very well for his one-day hundred at Worcester, and all he needs is one score under his belt.''
Several senior Sri Lankan players are absent from this game, including two key bowlers.
The left-arm swing bowler, Chaminda Vaas, who has been struggling with an ankle injury, played in Kurunegala yesterday against South Africa A, and if he comes through the match without a reaction, will fly to England next week to join the tour. ``He's important to us,'' admitted Fernando.
So too, of course, is Muttiah Muralitharan, the biggest tweaker of a ball in Test cricket. Muralitharan, who took 18 wickets at Cardiff and Leicester, is likely to be the only specialist spinner selected for the Oval Test unless the tourists get a pitch they are not expecting a turner.
Day 3: Sri Lankans lap it up
By Geoffrey Dean
Third day of four: Middlesex (313 & 123-3) lead Sri Lanka (424) by 12 runs
THE Sri Lankans rejoiced in their return to headquarters after a seven-year absence with some wonderful strokeplay over the weekend. Middlesex played their part with some bowling that was as obligingly friendly as the Lord's pitch, allowing the tourists to rattle along at four runs an over throughout their innings.
Nearly all the Sri Lankan batsmen have now posted big scores on their tour. Sanath Jayasuriya is the exception, although he did not look out of form here. His opening partner, Marvan Atapattu, played with authority in his 161-ball 114 on Saturday.
Yesterday, it was the turn of Mahela Jayawardene and Rumesh Kaluwitharana to entertain with their batting in the morning. Another 138 runs were added before lunch to the overnight total of 214 for four as Kaluwitharana drove and pulled 11 fours in his 52-ball fifty.
Jayawardene, quick on his feet and wristy to go with it, played some fine shots in his 78. He fell to the second new ball when Tim Bloomfield found his edge with a perfectly directed outswinger.
That was probably the best ball Middlesex bowled on a bad day in the field for them. Richard Johnson bent his back and had Kaluwitharana taken at first slip, but Chris Batt pitched too full or too short. Phil Tufnell got no response from the pitch.
When Middlesex batted again, David Goodchild was soon lbw. Richard Kettleborough made his highest first-class score for Middlesex of 38 (excluding university opposition) before gloving a bouncer, and David Nash's resistance was cut short by one that kept low.