Sri Lanka bounce back in hill country test

After two crushing defeats in the hot and humid lowlands, Sri Lanka sought solace in the cooler highlands and duly found some, as the opening batsmen responded to recent criticism with their best performance of the series to date. By the close of a rain shortened first day they had progressed to 140 without loss after winning the toss and electing to bat.

With the series already won the Pakistan bowlers failed to bowl with the same intensity that they did in Galle and at the Sinhalese Sports Club. Like the students who have already secured their University entrance before the final exam, they unsurprisingly relaxed a little too much today and paid the penalty.

Not that this should take any credit away from a fine performance from Sanath Jayasuriya (83*) and Marvan Attapattu (50*) who bravely shouldered the responsibility for Sri Lanka's success. Both players had been under pressure in this match: Sanath Jayasuriya for a woeful batting record since he has become captain and Attapattu for an annoying tendency to get dismissed when well set.

Sanath Jayasuriya, who prior to today had not scored a half century in his last four test matches, was brutally honest after losing the series in Galle, saying that the Pakistan bowlers had been simply too good for the Sri Lankans. Nevertheless he had warned against drastic changes and was supported by his selectors who left the top order untouched.

That top order still has much work to do but they nevertheless have an opportunity now to redeem themselves after such a solid platform has been laid by the openers. Crucially they survived the new ball and protected the suspect middle order.

Jayasuriya benefited from an unusually innocuous opening spell from Waqar Younis, who clearly didn't appreciate running up a hill, into the wind and over a marsh like run-up. In less harmonious times he would surely have pulled rank and forced Razzaq into bowling earlier. His rhythm disrupted, he allowed Jayasuriya the kind of room he relishes and gifted both batsmen comforting boundaries in those crucial early overs.

Wasim Akram at the other end was more threatening but still quite wayward for his normal high standards. He did though subject Marvan Attapattu to a torrid examination with the short ball. Twice hitting Attapattu on the helmet he was clearly of the opinion that Attapattu has a weakness against the rising delivery and on today's evidence he may well be right. The most technically accomplished batsmen in the Sri Lankan side, Attapattu struggled to judge which deliveries to duck and which to play.

However he survived, and Pakistan were forced to resort to spin in just the 13th over of the day. Arshad Khan spun the ball but lacked the bounce and control with which he has bowled in the series so far. His bowling arm low and the left shoulder collapsing he regularly dropped short. He should though have had one wicket when Jayasuriya was dropped by Moin Khan immediately after reaching his fifty in the 39th over.

Marvan Attapattu was also given a chance when he was dropped in the slips during Wasim Akram's second spell. In the large mans defense it was though a difficult catch that flew to the left hand of Inzamann at first slip.

These two catches apart the batsmen played with increasing confidence. Sanath Jayasuriya took a particular liking to the bowling of Mustaq Ahmed: hitting him from a huge six over long and following it with another lofted drive to the boundary in the same over. Marvan Attapattu, relieved to have weathered Akram's initial hostility, also relaxed and was timely the ball sweetly by the end.

Earlier in the day Sri Lanka had dropped Romesh Kaluwitharana from the side, awarding Prasanna Jayawardene his first test cap. Nuwan Zoysa and Kumara Dharmasena were also included in the side in place of Ravindra Pushpakumara and Rangana Herath.

With the pitch slow in pace and not assisting the seam bowlers the Sri Lankans will be happy that they opted for the extra spinner. Kumar Dharmasena is a tight bowler who bowls well in tandem with Muralitharan. So far in the series Muralitharan has been hampered by the fact that any pressure he creates is quickly dispersed by loose bowling at the other end. Dharamasena should be able to ensure that this doesn't happen here.

Pakistan rested Mohammad Wasim for Imran Nazir and opted for the legs-spin of Mustaq Ahmed, who is celebrating his thirtieth birthday today, rather than the wily medium pace of Azhar Mahmood.

Pakistan are sure to be roused from their slumber by Javed Miandad tonight and we can expect an intriguing tussle tomorrow morning. For the meantime though Sri Lanka can rest content after their best day of a disappointing series.