By Dhammika Ratnaweera
Having let loose the second test at Pallekele to concede a 57 run victory to England, Sri Lanka cricketers are now hoping to come good in the third to avoid a whitewash against the visiting Englishmen in their three match test series, when the two teams will meet on Friday the 23rd at the SSC grounds in Colombo.
English captain Joe Root had already pronounced his confidence to win the third test and complete a white wash in Sri Lanka and his ambitions are further boosted by the inclusion of Stuart Broad and Jonny Bairstow for the final match of the tour.
However, standing strong as the substitute captain to injured Dinesh Chandimal, Sri Lankan paceman Suranga Lakmal said that he too will be looking forward to a victory for Sri Lanka in the final test, as the second test was close encounter and his team was in the verge of levelling the series. “We lost very badly in the first test in Galle, but we can back farely well in the second test, which we missed out narrowly. I am sure, we have learnt a lot in the first two games and will certainly bounce back for a victory in the third” said a confident Sri Lankan skipper.
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan has included opener Danushka Gunatillake in place of Charith Asalanka who was brought into the squad after Sri Lankan captain Dinesh Chandimal was sidelined due to injury in the first test. Chandimal’s come back efforts to the third test were thwarted he failed a fitness test two days before the match. However, Gunatillake’s chances of making to the final XI is very slim as Sri Lankan coach Chandika Haturusighe had once again expressed confidence in Kusal Mendis, who has been continuing to struggle to come among runs.
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