Galle: more rain, day 2 may be washed out

Agencies

Galle, 19 July 2010: Day two of the first Test between India and Sri Lanka on Monday is looking all set to be washed out on Monday with more rains lashing the venue. Earlier, play was expected to start after lunch but that looks difficult now. An official word from the umpires though is awaited. The hosts would have hoped for the action to start especially after they made the Indian bowling without Zaheer and Sreesanth look pretty ordinary.

A partnership of 173 runs between Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakarra and opener Tharanga Paranavitana set the tone for the home team. The hosts finished Day 1 on 256/2 with Mahela Jayawardene and Paranavitana at the crease. For India Abhimanyu Mithun playing his debut test match and Virender Sehwag took the two wickets to fall.

 

 

The hosts took full advantage of the toothless Indian bowling attack. The visitors did not make things an easier for themselves by dropping catches even if they were half chances. Sangakkara and Paranavitana were both given lives before scoring their respective centuries. The Indian cause was not helped by the health of Harbhajan Singh who was suffering from both flu and a troubled hamstring.

The Indians could have had Dilshan early but an lbw appeal was turned down by umpire Daryl Harper. The Indians who ended up with egg on their faces when the last time they toured Sri Lanka a couple of years ago because of the UDRS system opted not to go for it this time and paid the price for it.

 

Muralitharan who is eight wickets away from 800 test wickets might not reach the magical figure if the rain gods have their way over the next few days. But according to the little master Sachin Tendulkar, "Murali will not be a lesser bowler if he does not touch the 800 figure or be a greater bowler if he if he crosses that mark."