Murali makes it a contest

Much has been made of Muttiah Muralitharan's dismal record in Australia - three wickets at 116. Most of those critics don't bother to mention that the two Tests he played were almost 12 years ago, an indictment of an international schedule that panders shamelessly to the so-called big teams. His one-day appearances in Australia during that period have been coloured by as much controversy as the Boxing Day Test of 1995, when Darrell Hair called him for throwing, and the crowds at most venues have scarcely distinguished themselves with their boorish heckling and no-ball calls.

Despite the passage of time and Murali opting not to tour back in 2004 when Sri Lanka played at non-traditional venues in Cairns and Darwin, there was no absence of niggle when Murali took to the field at the Gabba. It was almost inevitable that some XXXX-fuelled charmers would start the chants, and that others would follow in a manner befitting the thousands of sheep that can be found in Australia's sunshine state.

They may as well have chanted: "We're all tossers" for the effect that it had.  Murali is a man on a mission, and it involves more than taking the half dozen wickets he needs to surpass Shane Warne's haul of 708. After Australia had survived the new ball on a jealous-green pitch, Matthew Hayden and Phil Jaques, and then Ricky Ponting, were threatening to repeat the first-day hammerings handed out to England (364 for 2 in 2002) and India (262 for 2 on a rain-affected day in 2003).

With the unpredictable skills of Lasith Malinga not being risked and Dilhara Fernando all over the place in his opening spell, Sri Lanka were in some strife at tea. Down the years, most Sri Lankan captains have responded to such situations by throwing the ball to Murali, and getting a marathon spell out of him from one end. Mahela Jayawardene was no different today, and Murali responded with a magnificent effort that made you question whether they were still playing on a grassy, first-day pitch.

The delivery from round the wicket that drifted past the outer edge of Ponting's bat was a masterpiece of deception, and the deftness of the stumping from Prasanna Jayawardene illustrated why Sri Lanka won't miss Kumar Sangakkara behind the stumps. The pair combined again to dismiss Phil Jaques, and but for some butter-fingered catching - four chances went down - Murali would have had much better than 2 for 67.

Given their batting depth, Australia could still end up with too many runs for a brittle Sri Lankan line-up. But what Sri Lanka and Murali showed on day one was that they certainly won't be soft touches. That was evident in the World Cup final last April, when they first reined in Australia's batsmen after the Gilchrist blitz, and then batted with wonderful flair and aggression to ensure that the showpiece occasion wouldn't become a washout as it had been when Australia crushed Pakistan (1999) and India (2003).

Even if they lose at the Gabba, as most touring teams tend to, there's enough character and skill in this Sri Lankan side to make a match of it in Hobart. Against Australia's bullying approach, the one thing you can't afford is to be cowed down. It's no secret that the two teams that overcome first-Test pummellings to beat Australia this decade (India in 2001, after being routed in Mumbai, and England in 2005 after a thrashing at Lord's) did so by staring their opponents in the eye. Murali, whose eyes are more expressive than most, showed today that Sri Lanka have no intention of averting their gaze.

Comments

[Peter McGuinness]

Hi again Dileep,

Just something to clear up for your readers.

It isn't clear in your article what 'the chants' were, when directed at Murali. As an eye witness, I can promise my South Asian friends that none - I repeat none at all - were racial in nature. Of a crowd of around 16 000 during Sri Lanka's time in the field, I would say that no more than 30 or so individuals at a time were making a 'No Ball' call.

As I noted in Patrick's blog, the atmosphere around the ground was exceptionally friendly and good spirited.

As for 'Bullying' by Australia. Not sure what that means. If it means dominant play, then sure, the Aussies dominated. If it means ill-temper or sledging then again - as an eyewitness - I must say that there were no incidents of any note between the players during my three days of attendance. In fact, the big screen indicated quite of few occasions when the players shared a smile or a laugh.

Cattle far, far outnumber sheep in Queensland too old mate!

Just thought I'd help you out, since you may not have been getting the most accurate info. I know you wouldn't want to demonise the Aussie cricket team or Aussies like me inadvertantly...

Thanks again for the blog Dileep. I look forward to a great summer down under...

[Dileep]

Peter,

Am a bit cut up myself about there being no Test at the Gabba this time. The atmosphere last time was fantastic. I really enjoyed the way most gave Ganguly a standing ovation, and the support that Bichel got even when he was being clattered to all parts was amazing. One of the best places in the world to watch cricket.

[Peter McGuinness]

Hi Dileep and your bloggers!

I can't wait for the Tests against India either. I really love the talent and competitive energy in the Indian cricket team. To be honest, I'm a bit put out that I don't get see India play a Test up in Brisbane this year. I'll have to wait a long time for the next opportunity!

Oh well, it was a pleasure to host Sri Lanka all the same. Regrettably, I only got to see the first three days. While it wasn't the most competitive of Tests, it was still great to see Murali in action. Likewise Jaya and Marvin for probably the last time.

It was disappointing to miss out on Sangakarra, but ESPECIALLY Malinga!

I feel ripped off. Malinga's all out attack lends itself to Test cricket. It was a huge mistake to leave him out - I feel the match would have been much closer with his variety and pace to get the Australian top order thinking on Day 1 early.

I had a great time with my Sri Lankan mate - Mukesh - on Day 2.

I spent the whole week before learning Singhalese so I could impress him with a few cricket words on the day. Stupid me. Turns out Mukesh is Tamil and knows as much Singa as he knows English!! Never mind, he got me back by putting a Dilmah teabag into my beer while I was away at the loo. Hmmmm - lovely.

Anyway, I had a great day with my new mates learning lots about 'The Noble Island'. Because we had a Sri Lankan Flag flying, we attracted many of the Sri Lankan fans around us throughout the day. We all had a great time time talking about cricket, cricket and more cricket, even though things were pretty one sided on the field.

Everyone reckoned that I should go to Aragon Bay for a surf.

I think I might take them up on that.

This doesn't say enough - but to all the Sri Lankan lads that enjoyed (or not enjoyed!) the cricket at the Gabba with me the other day - thanks a lot...you're a great bunch! See you at the ODIs!!

[Advait]

Ahh the memories of that Brisbane Test and that entire 03/04 summer.. Me and a bunch of my mates called ourselves 'The Swamy Army' and travelled around Australia watching the cricket. I remember meeting you at one stage as well Dileep, I think it was at the Adelaide Test.

It was certainly a wonderful innnings by Ganguly! And what a delightful spell on controlled and aggressive swing bowling it was from Zaheer!! Cannot wait for India to get down here again in a few weeks time..

[Dileep]

I guess they chose the steadier option in Maharoof. If Malinga is off-radar, he can go for plenty, and Hayden and Ponting are especially unforgiving. That said, Fernando was awful in his first spell. He wasn't even especially quick.

[v]

From Where did the leaving of mallinga come from, never expected him not to be in the team especially with Sirils deciding to put the Aussies in. Wasn't he the best bet on this surface or for that matter on any of the hard bouncy Australian pitches. I for one don't think much about the capabilities of Fernando the test bowler, wouldn't pick him over mallinga for sure and even maharoof.I'm Sure jaya'dene will rue the fact that he left out the slinger by the end of this match/innings.

[Dileep]

Yes, Zaheer took a five-for in very overcast conditions, and then Ganguly and Laxman gave India a handy lead. With the new ball due soon, Sri Lanka are also capable of that, but Fernando for one will have to bowl much better.

[beowulf]

If i remember correctly Indians got the Australians bowled out in the first innings for some where around 320 or thereabouts in the match you are talking about, lets see how the lankans go about it tomorrow and my money is on SL having a long hunt for the leather in the field.