Australia Vs Sri Lanka - Live From The SCG
Benaud - Welcome to the Sydney Cricket Ground for what promises to be a very entertaining clash of test match cricket as we see a red hot Australian team up against a struggling, but very talented Sri Lankan team including Muttiah Muralitharan and Sanath Jayasuria. With me i have Sri Lankan great Aravinda De Silva and Australian great Bill Lawry. Aravinda, Bill, welcome.
Lawry - Thanks very much Richie. It sure is great to be here in a packed out Sydney Cricket Ground. A sea of green is sweeping over the oval and im sure that we have a great game about to unfold.
De Silva - Hello Richie and Bill. Thank you very much. There sure is a strong feel to the game with plenty of colour and noise out around the ground. But a lot of that is coming from the Sri Lankan supporters showing the amount of support that exists down in Australia.
Benaud - Yes im sure it will be a great match. Now Bill we have seen a number of big changes ahead of this match. What is your make on these decisions?
Lawry - Well Richie i think we all knew that it was bound to happen. I was a little bit surprised with the choice of North as the replacement to Hayden as he had no real experience in the 5 day form of the game. However he has been playing very well in the 2nd tier competition for Australia A so i guess he has given himself every chance. As for Katich, i think that was a given, Hussey has to be knocking on the door at the moment but I think Simon can do a great job for Australia. Im sure we will see Hayden and Martyn back in the whites really soon though. I think this will just be a temporary rest for these two star batsman.
Benaud - Ok well we are going to cross down to Mark Taylor for the pitch report now but before we do, Aravinda and Bill, who do you think will be the keys in this match?
Lawry - For Australia i think Ponting is always vital. Warne will also be important as will McGrath who has been on fire lately. For Sri Lanka its really hard to go past Muralitharan and Jayasuria, both are just huge threats.
De Silva - Well i would tend to look at Langer being the key with the bat here today. He is coming off a great knock and im sure he will feel very confident. For Sri Lanka, definatly Muralitharan and Jayasuria but i think Vaas will be crucial with the new ball. Its a bit overcast here today and he is the best swing bowler in the world.
Benaud - Ok thank you both. Down to mark with the toss of the coin
Benaud - Welcome to the Sydney Cricket Ground for what promises to be a very entertaining clash of test match cricket as we see a red hot Australian team up against a struggling, but very talented Sri Lankan team including Muttiah Muralitharan and Sanath Jayasuria. With me i have Sri Lankan great Aravinda De Silva and Australian great Bill Lawry. Aravinda, Bill, welcome.
Lawry - Thanks very much Richie. It sure is great to be here in a packed out Sydney Cricket Ground. A sea of green is sweeping over the oval and im sure that we have a great game about to unfold.
De Silva - Hello Richie and Bill. Thank you very much. There sure is a strong feel to the game with plenty of colour and noise out around the ground. But a lot of that is coming from the Sri Lankan supporters showing the amount of support that exists down in Australia.
Benaud - Yes im sure it will be a great match. Now Bill we have seen a number of big changes ahead of this match. What is your make on these decisions?
Lawry - Well Richie i think we all knew that it was bound to happen. I was a little bit surprised with the choice of North as the replacement to Hayden as he had no real experience in the 5 day form of the game. However he has been playing very well in the 2nd tier competition for Australia A so i guess he has given himself every chance. As for Katich, i think that was a given, Hussey has to be knocking on the door at the moment but I think Simon can do a great job for Australia. Im sure we will see Hayden and Martyn back in the whites really soon though. I think this will just be a temporary rest for these two star batsman.
Benaud - Ok well we are going to cross down to Mark Taylor for the pitch report now but before we do, Aravinda and Bill, who do you think will be the keys in this match?
Lawry - For Australia i think Ponting is always vital. Warne will also be important as will McGrath who has been on fire lately. For Sri Lanka its really hard to go past Muralitharan and Jayasuria, both are just huge threats.
De Silva - Well i would tend to look at Langer being the key with the bat here today. He is coming off a great knock and im sure he will feel very confident. For Sri Lanka, definatly Muralitharan and Jayasuria but i think Vaas will be crucial with the new ball. Its a bit overcast here today and he is the best swing bowler in the world.
Benaud - Ok thank you both. Down to mark with the toss of the coin