Whatmore expects Sri Lanka to fight back at Centurion
Charlie Austin - 28 November 2002
Sri Lanka coach Dav Whatmore believes that his side can bounce back in the
second one-day international at Centurion on Friday. Sri Lanka lost the opening match heavily at Wanderers on Wednesday after an all-too familiar top-order capitulation.
The tourists were unfortunate to loss the toss on a well-grassed damp pitch, but even so their 128-run total was clearly unacceptable.
"The ball did move around in that first hour but in my mind that was not a 128-run pitch – we should have scrambled together a total between 175 and 200," said Whatmore.
Sri Lanka lost the opening Test at Wanderers in a similarly chastening manner, but then came back strongly at Centurion in the second Test. Whatmore hopes for a repeat performance.
"We came back well at Centurion on a different surface and that is what we are looking to do in this game," he said.
Sri Lanka, who had a light practice on Thursday afternoon, are considering changes for the second game.
They are set to stick with the policy of playing seven specialist batsmen, but may include 35-year-old left-hander Hashan Tillakaratne ahead of Jehan Mubarak.
In the bowling department they are keen to provide an opportunity to all-rounder Hasantha Fernando, who needs as much experience as possible if he is going to occupy the pivotal all-rounder's spot in the World Cup.
That would mean dropping one of the four frontline bowlers - Chaminda Vaas,
Dilhara Fernando, Pulasthi Gunaratne and Hasantha Fernando.
South Africa, meanwhile, who had a voluntary training session in the afternoon, have been boosted by the news that Jonty Rhodes has recovered from a hamstring injury. The one-specialist had responded well to intensive treatment and passed a fitness test on Thursday afternoon.
His return will strengthen a middle order that had looked fragile for a period at the Wanderers when South Africa slipped to 56 for four. Rhodes is expected to take the place of Justin Ontong, his replacement at Wanderers, who scored just six.
Out-of-form all-rounder Lance Klusener is also expected to make his first appearance of the series in place of Andrew Hall.
Sri Lanka: Sanath Jayasuriya (Capt), Marvan Atapattu, Kumar Sangakkara, Russel Arnold, Mahela Jayawardene, Aravinda de Silva, Jehan Mubarak, Avishka Gunawardene, Hasantha Fernando, Upul Chandana, Thilan Samaraweera, Pulasthi Gunaratne, Chaminda Vaas, Dilhara Fernando, Chamila Gamage Lakshitha, Prabath Nissanka, Hashan Tillakaratne.
South Africa: Shaun Pollock (Capt), Mark Boucher, Nicky Boje, Boeta Dippenaar, Allan Donald, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Hall, Jacques Kallis, Lance Klusener, Makhaya Ntini, Justin Ontong, Jonty Rhodes, Graeme Smith, Monde Zondeki.
© CricInfo Ltd.
