Lara... scored hightest runs in first Test. - File
KANDY, CMC:
ROGER HARPER does not think it's beyond West Indies to rebound from defeat in the opening cricket Test against Sri Lanka and win the second Test, starting at the Asgiriya Stadium tomorrow.
West Indies suffered a 10-wicket defeat in the opening Test at the Galle Stadium on Saturday, but coach Harper believes a win is within the ability of his side with the right approach.
"We should have been able to at least draw that match in Galle," Harper told the CMCsports radio programme yesterday.
"Having posted a total of over 400 in the first innings, we should not have lost the Test match. Getting bowled out the way we did in the second innings, we will never win Test matches that way."
Of great concern to Harper too, is the way his side bowled in the opening Test.
"We did not bowl very well collectively in the opening Test," he said.
"Some of the bowlers bowled well in spells, but we needed to bowl well together - at both ends - to apply some pressure on the Sri Lankan batsmen. We will have to do it in Kandy to win."
Brian Lara hit the top score of 178 as four of the West Indies top six batsmen scored meaningful runs in their first innings total of 448, but champion Sri Lanka off-spin bowler Muttiah Muralitharan captured six wickets.
Centuries from Kumar Sangakkara and Hashan Tillakartne, along with Mahela Jayawardene's 99 and Thilan Samaraweera's 77 helped their side to a first innings lead of 142.
Muralitharan captured five more wickets as West Indies were dismissed for 144 in their second innings. The spinner ended with match figures of 11 wickets for 170 runs leaving West Indies captain Carl Hooper bewildered about how to find an answer to him.
Harper feels Muralitharan is a bowler that can be played and off whom runs can be scored.
"Other players have accomplished it, but it will take much determination and application," he remarked.
"Our players showed in the first innings that we could handle him, mind you the pitch was not as helpful. But we just did not apply ourselves in the second innings."
Fast bowler Colin Stuart who failed to live up to expectations in Galle may retain his place with fellow pacer Reon King ruled out with hernia problems.
On the other side of the fence, hoping to further exploit the West Indies' perceived susceptibility to spin bowling, Sri Lanka have added leg-spin bowler Upal Chandana to their squad.
The 29-year-old Chandana, who played the last of his five Tests a year ago against South Africa, is expected to contend with Niroshan Bandaratillake for a place alongside Muralitharan.
Left-arm fast-medium bowler Nuwan Zoysa has recovered from a fractured right ankle he suffered close to eight months ago.
Squads:- SRI LANKA (from): Sanath Jayasuriya (captain), Marvan Atapattu, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Russel Arnold, Hashan Tillakaratne, Thilan Samaraweera, Chaminda Vaas, Niroshan Bandaratillake, Mutttiah Muralitharan, Charitha Buddhika, Nuwan Zoysa, Suresh Perera, Michael Vandort, Upal Chandana.
WEST INDIES (from): Carl Hooper (captain), Ridley Jacobs (vice-captain), Chris Gayle, Daren Ganga, Brian Lara, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Marlon Samuels, Wavell Hinds, Leon Garrick, Neil McGarrell, Dinanath Ramnarine, Colin Stuart, Mervyn Dillon, Marlon Black, Pedro Collins.
