Sri Lanka V Pakistan Test Series 2009 Preview

After the drama of the Twenty20 World Cup Final both teams Sri Lanka and Pakistan have to switch there mind to the 3 match test series. The last series between the two teams will be remembered for the terror attacks on cricket. The first test match that took place was a high scoring affair which is not helping the test match cricket with the impact of Twenty20 cricket we would be hoping a better contest between bat and ball and result possible on the fifth day.

If Pakistan had not won the T20 World Cup many would have thought this would have been a straight forward series win for Sri Lanka but think again about taking Pakistan lightly. The return of Abdul Razzaq provided the balance in the team and class of Mohammad Yousuf in the middle order will of massive benefit to a strong batting line up. Pakistan team have depth in there batting which goes from number three the captain Younus Khan to number eight with Abdul Razzaq, so scoring runs should not be a problem with wickets likely to assist the batsmen. The form of Umur Gul will be vital as he will need to the lead bowler who will be assisted by the emergence of youngster Mohammad Aamer. With Pakistan likely to go in with one spinner being Danish Kaneria his form will be crucial to take vital wickets and also keeping one end quiet.

Sri Lanka will be going into a new era under the leadership of Kumar Sangakkara, his captaincy was excellent in the T20 World Cup and it will need to be in the test arena and how he gets the team to play will be interesting. Like Pakistan, Sri Lanka has a very strong middle order and one of the best in world cricket which will look to get most of the runs. The bowling attack looks very balanced but getting the balance they require is vital with Murali missing the first test and the keeper Prasanna Jayawardene the right balance will need to be found.

With Sri Lanka being the more experience of both teams during recent time in the test arena and the strong balanced team they have it is very hard to look past the hosts winning the test series. But there is another team involved in the series which is Pakistan and after the victory in the World Cup they not going to be walk-overs and have the players to win matches.

With the pressure on test cricket to provide the entertainment and results it is vital that this series has wickets to suit batsmen and bowler and not of the same standard we saw in Karachi earlier this year and if we do it could be the slow death of test cricket.