The Hindu : Sport : Lanka keen to clinch series at Galle: Bayliss

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Lanka keen to clinch series at Galle: Bayliss

Special Correspondent

— PHOTO: AFP

KEY PLAYER: Trevor Bayliss expects Chaminda Vaas to be a threat in the second Test.

Galle: Trevor Bayliss, Sri Lanka’s coach, said his side, although expecting stiffer resistance from India during the second Test, was looking to clinch the series at Galle.

Sri Lanka, which won the first Test in Colombo, leads the three-match series 1-0.

“We played some very good cricket in the first Test, and we expect to play a similar match here,” said Bayliss, after Sri Lanka’s practice session on Tuesday.

What did he make of the strip?

“It is a pretty good pitch to bat, does not matter whether we bat first or second,” he said. “Last time when we played here Chaminda Vaas took four wickets against England and I expect him to be a threat here again. Spin will certainly be our strength.”

Bayliss called Ajantha Mendis a revelation “not just for Sri Lankan cricket but for world cricket as well.” He added that the young spinner’s temperament and ability to learn quickly was remarkable.

How does a batsman handle Muttiah Muralitharan and Mendis? “I don’t want to give away too much, mate,” said Bayliss. “And frankly I don’t know myself. The best of batsmen will struggle against them, with pressure from both ends. But there will be days where they find it tough against a few batsmen. I hope it’s not here (in) this match.”

Bayliss expected India’s spinners to perform better in the second Test. “Harbhajan (Singh) and Anil (Kumble) are two world class spinners and it is not often they end up with two wickets in an entire match,” he said. “I am sure they will come back strongly.”

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