da betano casino： Four days after their return from England, Sri Lanka’s disheartenedcricketers were pressed back into action against Test greenhorns Bangladesh
Charlie Austin21-Jul-2002Four days after their return from England, Sri Lanka’s disheartenedcricketers were pressed back into action against Test greenhorns Bangladesh.And whilst some might have preferred to laze at home and rest their tiredlimbs, they at least had the satisfaction of dominating the first day of atwo match series they are expected win comfortably.The return to Sri Lanka brought familiar conditions, although a heavymid-day downpour will have cast their minds back to an England tour marredby miserable weather. They were also reunited with their cherishedoff-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who was rested during the NatWesttriangular series to allow his partially recovered dislocated shoulder timeto fully heal.Here, at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium, his home ground, which was welcomingback Test cricket after eights years, he appeared to have regained fullfitness, quickly slipping back into his old routine, claiming five for 39 in19.4 overs. It was the 35th time in his career that he has taken afive-wicket haul, one less than New Zealand’s Sir Richard Hadlee, thepresent record holder.Bangladesh, desperately trying to reverse a disappointing string of resultsthat has seen them lose 10 of 11 matches they have played since beingawarded full Test status, were bowled out for 161 despite a promising startin the morning.This was followed by a confident reply by Sri Lanka’s openers, MarvanAtapattu (20*) and Russel Arnold (10*), who retained his openers berth afterhis century against England at Old Trafford last month. When bad lightstopped play the hosts were 32 without loss.But while Sri Lanka had the satisfaction of gaining the upper hand, thedisconcerting friction between the team, selectors and administration showsno sign of abating.Captain Sanath Jayasuriya is upset by the selectors desire to rest seniorplayers and has taken his grievances directly to Sports Minister JohnstonFernando. Muralitharan, too, voiced frustration with the perenniallyunstable cricket administration during a television interview earlier in theweek.For this game fast bowlers Chaminda Vaas and Nuwan Zoysa were rested,although Zoysa’s immediate future is apparently in some doubt after hisinconsistent performances in England. Left-arm swing bowler Sujeewa deSilva, 22, was the beneficiary, winning his first Test cap.Left-hander Hashan Tillakaratne was also rested, as the selectors gavewicket-keeper Prassana Jayawardene a chance to state his credentials for apermanent place.Jayasuriya had won the toss in the morning, electing to bowl first in aneffort to exploit the traditional pace bowler friendly conditions in thefirst session at the P. Saravanamuttu Oval. But the expected early inroadsfailed to materialise, as Sujeewa de Silva took Sri Lanka’s solitary wicketin the first hour.And despite Dilhara Fernando clean bowling number three batsman EhsanulHaque (2) shortly after the drinks break, Bangladesh continued to prosper inthe second hour. Led by 19-year-old debutante Hannan Sarkar (55) they were107 for two at one stage.But shortly before lunch Jayasuriya trapped Sarkar lbw with his firstdelivery of the day, ending a 57 partnership for the third wicket withHabibul Bashar (24), Bangladesh’s most consistent top order batsman. Minuteslater Basher was also trapped lbw, this time by Muralitharan, and thetourists went into lunch on 111 for four.A torrential downpour during the break curtailed play for 102 minutes in theafternoon, before Sri Lanka’s bowlers started to assert themselves moreforcibly on the inexperienced tourists, four of who are playing their firstgame.Aminul Islam (0) padded a catch to short leg and Khaled Mushud (23) topedged an attempted sweep to short fine leg. Enamul Haque (1) was smartlystumped and Manjurul Islam (0) was clean bowled during an impressive secondspell from Buddika Fernando. Akram Khan (20) tried to resist, but he toofell to Buddika Fernando as he feathered an outswinger to the keeper.With Muralitharan taking his fifth wicket to finish off the innings,Bangladesh had lost their last five wickets for 13 runs.