COLOMBO, (Reuters):
SRI LANKA captain Marvan Atapattu has spoken about having to face a second-string West Indies team in a two-Test series starting on July 13 in Colombo.
West Indies have sent a squad of novices after a prolonged contract dispute that led to only three players from the original 14-man squad agreeing to travel to Sri Lanka.
Atapattu says there is deep disappointment over the absence of players like Brian Lara, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Chris Gayle but insists Sri Lanka will aim to be as clinical as possible.
"The cricket-loving public are obviously disappointed to not see their stars and as a team we would have much preferred to have played against their full side," Atapattu told Reuters yesterday.
SIMILAR SITUATION
Sri Lanka faced a similar situation last year when a player dispute robbed Zimbabwe of their best players and produced one of the most farcically one-sided encounters in test history.
"This is the second time that we have experienced a situation like this and we will have to concentrate on the things we worked on there," Atapattu said.
"We will be focussing on our game rather than the opposition's and setting specific goals for each individual and the team to make sure we remain completely motivated and focussed."
"We also know that this West Indies side is stronger than that Zimbabwe team and they also have add the advantage that several players have full acclimatised to conditions here during their A team tour.
"It is therefore important that we go out there and play the best possible cricket we can."
Atapattu says his team is now hungry again for international cricket after a three-month break and excited to be starting off a new season with a new coach, Tom Moody, the former Australian all rounder.
"We've just finished a four-day training camp and we're excited by the prospect of learning new things from Tom (Moody), who comes with a wealth of experience as a coach and player," said Atapattu.
Sri Lanka welcome back their top bowler, former world record holder Muttiah Muralitharan, after a long absence through injury.
"We've been without him for nearly a year and are delighted to have him back, especially me because having one of the world's great bowlers at your disposal eases the pressure off any captain," said Atapattu.
The second Test starts in Kandy on July 21 and is followed from July 30 by a triangular one-day series also involving India.
