Galle: Australia and Sri Lanka were searching for the right combination to tackle a bone-dry wicket as they prepared for Wednesday’s first cricket Test in Galle.
Sri Lankan captain Tillakaratne Dilshan and his Australian counterpart Michael Clarke expected spin to dominate at the Galle International Stadium, leaving selection headaches for both teams.
“The wicket looks more dry than what we got in previous matches in Galle,” said Dilshan, who leads Sri Lanka for the first time in a home series. “It will be a bit slow and I think it will turn after tea on the first day itself.”
Clarke, who begins his reign as a full-time Australian Test captain, also foresaw a trial by spin for his batsmen.
“I hope I win the toss. It will be harder to bat as the game goes on. Our biggest challenge in the series is how we are going to play spin bowling. It is going to be a tough battle,” he said.
Clarke’s predecessor Ricky Ponting is the only one in the touring party to have played a Test match in Sri Lanka in 2004. (AFP)
