Colombo Test, Day 2, Tea
Thursday, August 30, 2001

Sri Lanka's batsmen have got themselves into an extremely strong position on the second afternoon of this Test match. They have batted with plenty of skill and shown lots of determination to subdue the Indian bowlers. The pitch has been a significant factor. It hasn't deteriorated at all and there seems to be nothing in it for the bowlers. In situations such as this, they have to rely on skill alone to get the breakthrough. To give Harbhajan his due, he changed tack after lunch, giving the ball much more air and encouraging the batsmen to play their shots. But that tactic misfired when Atapattu took up the challenge. He played some scintillating strokes and his driving against the spin showed his class as a batsman. Jayawardene has given him solid support and together they have established their mastery over the Indians. Prasad bowled well in the afternoon, although Zaheer Khan was a trifle disappointing. He didn't bowl many bouncers to test the batsmen and lacked that extra nip that he had in Kandy. He should aim for more than the stock bowler's role. Sairaj Bahutule did well though luck deserted him. After tea he could try bowling around the stumps, spinning the ball across the right-hander's body. Jayawardene has a tendency to sweep carelessly and he could be caught out in this manner. India need quick wickets and some luck to stay in this match. Sanjay Manjrekar, mainstay of the Indian batting in the late '80s and early '90s, was talking to Dileep Premachandran.

More Sanjay Manjrekar
Harbhajan disappoints - Lunch

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