Spin kings gear for battle in Sri Lanka
Tuesday, 22 July 2008
COLOMBO, July 21(AFP): Spin bowlers will be centre of attention during the Test series between India and Sri Lanka starting here Wednesday as three stars with a combined tally of more than 1,600 wickets do battle.
Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan leads the trio with a record 735 Test scalps, followed by the Indian duo of leg-spinner Anil Kumble (608) and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh (275).
Rarely has a Test series seen such a combination of spinners with so many wickets under their belts and, although they have different styles each is a proven match- winner.
And adding to the talent is Sri Lanka's latest sensation Ajantha Mendis, who is expected to make his Test debut after commendable performances in one-day internationals.
Mendis, 23, made a mockery of the famed Indian line-up in the Asia Cup final in Karachi this month, grabbing 6-13 with shrewd variations to guide his team to an emphatic 100-run victory.
However, Harbhajan recently said Muralitharan would be a bigger threat in the series than Mendis, despite the youngster's impressive show in the shorter version of the game.
"It was a treat to watch Mendis bowl during the Asia Cup final," said Harbhajan. "There is so much to learn from him.
"But Muralitharan will pose a bigger challenge. You cannot compare Murali and Mendis. Murali has been doing it for so many years whereas Mendis has just started."
Muralitharan has been his side's key spinner since his Test debut in 1992 and has contributed immensely in making Sri Lanka a formidable bowling outfit away from home.
He is a big turner of the ball and has outwitted the world's best batsmen with the "doosra", a delivery that turns away from the right-handers instead of coming into them like a conventional off-break.
Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan leads the trio with a record 735 Test scalps, followed by the Indian duo of leg-spinner Anil Kumble (608) and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh (275).
Rarely has a Test series seen such a combination of spinners with so many wickets under their belts and, although they have different styles each is a proven match- winner.
And adding to the talent is Sri Lanka's latest sensation Ajantha Mendis, who is expected to make his Test debut after commendable performances in one-day internationals.
Mendis, 23, made a mockery of the famed Indian line-up in the Asia Cup final in Karachi this month, grabbing 6-13 with shrewd variations to guide his team to an emphatic 100-run victory.
However, Harbhajan recently said Muralitharan would be a bigger threat in the series than Mendis, despite the youngster's impressive show in the shorter version of the game.
"It was a treat to watch Mendis bowl during the Asia Cup final," said Harbhajan. "There is so much to learn from him.
"But Muralitharan will pose a bigger challenge. You cannot compare Murali and Mendis. Murali has been doing it for so many years whereas Mendis has just started."
Muralitharan has been his side's key spinner since his Test debut in 1992 and has contributed immensely in making Sri Lanka a formidable bowling outfit away from home.
He is a big turner of the ball and has outwitted the world's best batsmen with the "doosra", a delivery that turns away from the right-handers instead of coming into them like a conventional off-break.