Friday afternoon in Colombo was anything but normal, as a new governmentswept to power, a countrywide curfew was imposed and shop shelves werestripped bare after panic buying
Charie Austin07-Dec-2001Friday afternoon in Colombo was anything but normal, as a new governmentswept to power, a countrywide curfew was imposed and shop shelves werestripped bare after panic buying. But, whilst the country as a wholeprepares for a new era, the cricket team hopes to continue with business asusual.Sri Lanka’s one-day form during the past two years has been exceptional andwith a transitional period now completed a youthful, settled and experiencedside start the LG Abans triangular ODI series against Zimbabwe and WestIndies as overwhelming favourites.Sri Lanka have not lost a one-day competition at home for over three years,but captain Sanath Jayasuriya and coach Dav Whatmore warned today againstcomplacency."We cannot underestimate Zimbabwe and West Indies; both are good sides andZimbabwe have been having plenty of one-day practice during the past twomonths," said Jayasuriya.Whatmore added: "It is good to go into the series having won a Test series,but with the exception of Bangladesh and Kenya, I don’t think there are anyeasy games. And if you go out thinking it’s going to be easy, then you areasking for trouble."The home side are set to revert back to six batsmen, five bowler formation,with recalled fast bowling all-rounder Suresh Perera likely to bat at numberseven."Suresh (Perera) has rehabilitated pretty well and is in the squad on meritafter two good performances for the Board XI side against Zimbabwe," saidWhatmore. "He should be confidant of being successful. He gives us an extraedge with the bat if we need to accelerate in the middle order and greaterbowling options."Pace bowler Nuwan Zoysa will also play, ahead of Charitha Buddika Fernandoand Prabath Nissanka, who were both blooded in Sharjah and could still playlater in the tournament, especially if Sri Lanka qualify early for thefinal.Leg-spinner Upul Chandana comes back and will contest the second spinnersslot with Kumar Dharmasena. Sri Lanka may even play three spinners for thegames at Premadasa International Stadium, where the pitches tend to be slowturners.The unavailability of injured wicket-keeper Romesh Kaluwitharana gives KumarSangakkara an opportunity to stake his claim for a permanent place in theone-day team. He is expected to bat in the middle order, a position that heappears unsuited to, but Whatmore didn’t rule out the possibility of achance in the top order at some stage.Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka’s opponents in the first game at the Sinhalese SportsClub on Saturday, come into the tournament with three wins againstBangladesh under their belt, but two early tour losses during their warm-upgames.Captain Stuart Carlisle, though, was upbeat about his team’s chances: "Ithink we have a good chance of getting to the finals. Sri Lanka are going tobe very hard to beat: they are on top of the world at the moment and playinggood cricket. But we have had some good contests against the West Indiesrecently and it depends on who is going to play the best cricket. If we canget to the final then anything can happen."As always the touring batsmen have to mindful about Muttiah Muralitharan andCarlisle admitted that the 29-year old was uppermost in their thoughts."Everyone has got to develop their own game plan against Muralitharan," hesaid. "It is a matter of picking the straight ball. Some may sweep, some mayhit over the top; it depends on the individual concerned."But Zimbabwe’s chances were dealt a blow on Friday with injuries topromising all-rounder Sean Ervine (suspected stress fracture of the back)and seam bowler Gary Brent (shoulder). Brent still could play if he passes alate fitness test, but it looks like they will have to make a choice betweenMuleki Nkala and Trevor Gripper for the final slot.Sri Lanka:Sanath Jayasuriya (capt), Marvan Atapattu, Avishka Gunawardene, MahelaJayawardene, Russel Arnold, Kumar Sangakkara, Chamara Silva, Suresh Perera,Kumar Dharmasena, Upul Chandana, Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas, NuwanZoysa, Charitha Buddika Fernando, Prabath NissankaZimbabwe:Stuart Carlisle, Grant Flower, Andy Flower, Dion Ebrahim, Craig Wishart,Douglas Marillier, Tatendra Taibu, Travis Friend, Henry Olonga, HeathStreak, Mluleki Nkala, Trevor Gripper, Gary Brent, Sean Ervine,