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Filed under Australia vs Srilanka

Itsonlycricket has never received so many emails about a upcoming test match, that it has for Australia verses Sri Lanka '3 mobile test series' (itinerary). what's so special about this Brisbane test match - you ask. answer is - Muthiah Muralitharan, Srilankan promise to upset the world champions this time.. and the brand new cricket season for Australia.

Why don't we start the preview of the 2 test match series with two brutal staggering statistical facts -

1) Head to Head : 18
SL : 1, Aus : 11
6 matches drawns
2) Srilanka have never won a test match in Australia.

Muralitharan Factor
Famous off-spinner is playing in a test match in Australia only the second time, and he's on the verge of breaking world record of most wickets. already on 700 wickets before first SL v Aus test at Brisbane starting 8th November 2007. Murali needs 9 more to break Shane Warne's record of 708. know which other bowlers held the record for most test wickets in this list.

The Tv Coverage world wide
Channel 9, as usual, will telecast the test series in Australia whereas asian partners - Starsports to show live in India, middle east, Singapore and Malaysia. Skysports 1 in UK, and foxsports will show both the test matches to the International cricket viewers. The test match will start at 5.30am India time.

Media Coverage
is in doubts after Cricket Australia, the organizers, are demanding payment for the right to distribute photographs from the event. World's top News Agencies are boycotting the first test series at Gabba and you might not see any pictures of this first test match anywhere in any newspaper after each days play.

Few more notes
-Two debutants for Australia - both lefties. One opening batsman, other fast bowler. Phil Jaques and Mitchell Johnson respectively. Because 3 cricketers for Australia (Langer, Warne & McGrath retired on same day)
-Australia have not lost at Brisbane since 1988. In fact, Australia have lost just two matches at home from lst 44 played!
-Srilanka won a test each in Pakistan, Bangladesh, England and New Zealand. Never won a test match in Australia in 8 attempts.
-Srilanka were the semi-finalists of World Cup 2007, deservingly.
-Send your wishes to the Aussie team! cricket australia official website has the option for fans to write comments straight to Ricky Ponting and his team at the start of new season!

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