Filed under Srilanka cricket

What is one reason that made windies unbeatable in decade of seventies? There's still no world championship of test cricket, but that same one reason that saw Aussies remain uncrowned champs of test matches from 90s to 2006. That one reason, now gone for Australia, is thus open for all major test playing nations to grab.. that one reason ~ is your ability to take 20 wickets.

I need not beat the dead line too much, as I summerised it all in my article in month of January when Glen McGrath & Shane Warne retired jointly. I said Aussies will lose their dominance and I stick by that even now. Today, I want to focus on which test cricket playing country has the bowlers who can take 20 wickets nessasry to win a test match.. & the answer comes out as Sri Lanka. I agree that Sri Lankan batting might not be as special as Aussies had, specially the lack of stable opening pair, but middle order is strong as stone with Kumar Sangakkara & Mahela Jayawardene being as hungry/capable as anyone. I like what I see of Chamara Silva, and Tilakratne Dilshan is a batter we always under-estimate. BUT, I repeate once again - its not that much the batting that wins you a 5 day cricket match, its more about how good you are in bowling out 10 opposition batsman twice.

Srilanka has Chaminda Vaas - the left arm accuracy with Lasith Malinga - the awkward bouncer with unconventional hair style. Then, although Coach Tom Moody has left the lankan team, Dilhara Fernando remains his biggest job very well done. Fernando can bowl over 90 miles per hour consistently, attack the stumps & his over-stepping problem has vanished. After this, I need not elaborate too much onto what makes spin wizard Muthiah Muralithanran a danger. World's best spinner is not exactly a finger spinner, but more of a 'palm spinner' (griping the ball deep close to wrists) due to which he extracts spin on any kind of pitch.

This -- gives Srilanka the 4 front line bowlers for any test playing eleven. But never forget the back-up bowling arsenals of Malinga Bandara - the proven leg spinner with Sujeeva de Silva - another left arm pacer capable of swinging new ball into the right handed batters & reversing old ball away. When in need of playing 5 bowlers, Srilanka has the services of Farveez Maharoof - a moderately good in-diper seamer & attacking best batsman.

This gives Srilanka an attack of 7 world class bowlers, making them better, versatile & on-time wicket takers when International cricket arena is missing a world beater side.

Another strong reason why I call Srilanka the next dads of test matches worldwide, is their demanding captain Mahela Jayawardene. He, with deputy kumar Sangakkara are like Arvinda de Silva & Arjuna Ranatunga of 1996 that won the world cup. History suggests that when your most respected leader is hungry - whole team starts to expect more from themselves.. Srilanka cricket team must believe in the proverb that 'there's always some space at the top', because the fact is - Australia are no more a world beater, & there's more space at top than smallish Lankan cricket might need.

Their fielding is second to none, & upcoming cricket International schedule is perfect. Srilanka play 2 test match series against (& in) Australia this November, then host England at home.. these two teams are currently best in test cricket, & I'm sure if Srilanka can keep their heads high through these tough series - we cricket fans will soon see a new uncrowned world test cricket champions.

Toughest team to beat at home - Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka can be the next dad of International test arena