Spin king Murali targets Lara

West Indies may have only just finished a gruelling Test and one-day cricket series against Australia but they are now welcoming Sri Lanka for a five-week tour. And Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan is relishing the prospect of renewing a personal duel with Brian Lara.

The West Indies captain dominated the last Test series between the two sides in 2001, plundering 688 runs at 114.66, the second highest aggregate ever in a three-Test series. But Muralitharan proved the match-winner with 24 wickets at 22.33 as Sri Lanka completed a 3-0 whitewash, although he dismissed Lara only twice. “He is a great player and this time I want to win the battle against him,” said Muralitharan. “It’s always a challenge to bowl to him as he reads the wrist better than anyone else and he is willing to play all round the wicket. “Without Shivnarine Chanderpaul [fractured finger], dismissing Lara and Ramnaresh Sarwan will be the key to winning the series.” Sri Lanka play three One-Day Internationals in Barbados and St Vincent before two Tests in St Lucia and Jamaica. They start their tour with a warm-up match against Shell Academy in Grenada today.

Sri Lanka failed to qualify for the final of a home tri-series earlier in the month, won by New Zealand, but one-day skipper Marvan Atapattu is backing his top order to emerge from a prolonged slump in their batting form. He has urged his players to trust their natural instincts and play with the natural flair that helped them win the 1996 World Cup. “After our recent loss we have got to stand on our feet and play our natural game, which was the key to our earlier success,” said Atapattu. “With expectations so high and things not going so well the players have tended to change their games in desperation but if there is any fear of failure then you won’t perform at your best.” The team have undergone an intensive week of training including leadership seminars with a corporate motivational expert. “The players have realised their weaknesses and I have not seen the boys work as hard for seven years,” said Atapattu.

Sri Lanka one-day squad: Marvan Atapattu (captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Naveed Nawaz, Upul Chandana, Chaminda Vaas, Dharshana Gamage, Prabath Nissanka, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Kumar Dharmasena, Muttiah Muralitharan, Dinusha Fernando.