Wednesday,
07 November 2007
 Mahela
Jayawardene
Sri
Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene has needled the new-look Test
outfit for Thursday's series opener in Brisbane, claiming the
absence of champion duo Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath would rob
the Australians of their trademark on-field confidence.
Having
earned a reputation over the past decade for piling the pressure
on opposition sides in the lead-up to Test series, the Australians
have been remarkably reserved in the lead-up to the Gabba Test,
which will mark the dawn of a new era following the retirements
of Warne, McGrath, Damien Martyn and Justin Langer last season.
And
a relaxed Jayawardene didn't miss his chance to land the first
off-field blow, questioning how the loss of two of the greatest
bowlers in Test history would affect the rest of the side when
the pressure of the five-day game is at its most intense.
The
Sri Lanka skipper, who has struggled with the bat since arriving
in Australia, said while he knew he could turn to champion off-spinner
Muttiah Muralidaran late in the match, Ricky Ponting no longer
had such a safety net.
"When
you have a bowler the quality of Warne in your side you always
know you can throw the ball to him and get 30 good overs in a
day," Jayawardene said.
"And
when you get to days four and five you know he is going to create
plenty of opportunities for you. It's the same when you have a
guy like McGrath who has taken so many Test wickets.
"(It)
brings with it a confidence factor. We have it with Murali in
our side. But take two experienced guys like that out of the team
and it changes things."
Jayawardene
also turned the heat on the man who will replace McGrath in the
bowling attack, claiming his batsmen were comfortable they could
handle promising Queensland paceman Mitchell Johnson, who is set
to make his Test debut on his home ground this week.
The
left-arm speedster was below his best playing for the Bulls in
last week's tour match against Sri Lanka at Allan Border Field,
claiming just one wicket in each innings.
Courtesy - The Island
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