Rex Clementine in Sydney
Sydney is fast developing. Last time, The Island had a cricket coverage from this venue was during the 2015 World Cup, where Sri Lanka lost the quarter-finals to South Africa. Yes, the Proteas for once didn’t choke in a World Cup knockout game. Usually to get to the ground, you arrived by train to the Sydney Central and then caught a bus. Depending on the traffic, the bus drive took 20 to 40 minutes. But no such concerns now. There’s a Metro running outside the station and in less than five minutes, after two stops, you are right outside one of world’s iconic cricket grounds.
That made you to ponder the plight of the general public back home. After a day-night encounter at Pallekele, fans who depend on public transport have to walk back home. You don’t have any such dramas at RPS. There are taxis and autos available in Colombo throughout the night. But in Kandy, none of that sort and something needs to be done to ease the burden of fans. The game will not thrive if not for the fans.
Michael Appleton, New Zealand’s cricket loving High Commissioner to Sri Lanka queried who is going to win today’s game between the Kiwis and Sri Lanka. He was told that if Dasun Shanaka was told by the ICC to pick a venue where he wants to play the New Zealanders, he would pick Sydney in the blink of an eye.
That is why although Muttiah Muralitharan represented Sri Lanka in 133 Test matches, he never played a Test in Sydney. The dry surfaces here would have been ideal for him to run through the Aussies. Sri Lanka’s Assistant Coach Naveed Nawaz agreed that his team will enjoy the conditions here. “Sydney is a very favorable venue for Sri Lanka. It has been throughout the years, and we are looking forward to this game against New Zealand.”
Sri Lanka have been forced to do one change for the game with Binura Fernando out with a hamstring injury. Kasun Rajitha is expected to take his place or there’s also Pramod Madushan, who featured in
the qualifying round but was sidelined, also due to a hamstring injury. Madushan has recovered sufficiently and has passed fitness tests. He is available for selection.
The Kiwis are top of the points table in Group 1 of the Super 12 stage. They trashed Australia by 89 runs in their opening encounter but had to share points with Afghanistan after a wash out. If Sri Lanka win today, they will top the group and a win in their next game over Afghanistan at the Gabba will boost their semi-final chances. Sri Lanka will return to Sydney for their final group game against England.
