da pinnacle： Dilhara Fernando has promised the Australian batsmen will receive “something special” in the two-Test series
Jenny Thompson in Adelaide25-Oct-2007
Dilhara Fernando is bursting with enthusiasm at playing in Australia © Getty Images
Dilhara Fernando has promised that he and his fellow Sri Lankan pacebowlers will give the Australian batsmen “something special” in thetwo-Test series this November. The side’s pace attack, traditionally aweakness, is at its strongest ever and Fernando believes Sri Lankahave their best chance yet to win a Test in Australia.”I think we have a good pace attack, especially (Lasith) Malinga,myself and Vaasy (Chaminda Vaas),” he said after a practice session inAdelaide ahead of the first warm-up on Saturday. “We’ve got a goodbalanced attack so we can give them something special.”I think we’ve got good variation – swing, pace, bounce. We’ve goteverything. This is our best chance to beat Australia, so I think wecan beat them.”Kumar Sangakkara, the vice-captain, has an interesting take on how Sri Lanka’s fast bowlers have improved: courtesy of a one-day innovation. “The PowerPlay rule coming into one-day cricket has helped us quite a lot in developing a pace attack.”Earlier we used to [only] play a couple of pacers. I’ve been in Test matches when we’ve played one fast bowler when we play at home but now we’ve got three or four really great bowlers and really good support bowlers as well to come in. That’s where we’ve been going right in the past two years.”Fernando is looking forward to the pacy tracks, and explains that the teamhas a simple strategy for winning. “Everyone wants to hit the deckhard so I think we can get good pace and bounce and get the wickets.We all know Australians are very good at pulling short balls, so wewant to just do the basics, put the ball in the right area.”When asked if there was anyone in particular he would be targetting,he broke into a broad beam and said: “I just want to target everyone!”Nevertheless, he says “it’s a dream come true” to play in Australia.”I’ve waited seven long years to play against Australia. It’s a greatopportunity for me. I think we can give them a good battle. I am usedto playing against big teams. I think we can do it. With Muralithere’s a big confidence. I think we can beat them.”