Sri Lanka preparing for spin warfare

The crowds have been disappointing so far in the ICC Champions Trophy but on Friday afternoon even the streets outside Premadasa International Stadium will be overflowing. Match tickets are already exchanging hands for five times their face value. No one wants to miss the Sri Lanka-Australia semi-final. In a country that adores one-day cricket, this is the biggest game since the Sri Lanka's 1996 World Cup final.

Sri Lanka felt an equal weight of expectation on their shoulders in the tournament curtain raiser against Pakistan, when defeat would have forced upon them the humiliation of an early exit. Instead of wilting under the pressure they drew inspiration from the occasion and skipper Sanath Jayasuriya hopes that his players will react similarly in tomorrow's game.

"This is the biggest game we have had for a long time," says Jayasuriya, dripping with sweat after the team's final practice session. "The whole of Sri Lanka is following this match, hoping that we will win. But we must not put ourselves under too much pressure - we have to treat it like any other game."

Jayasuriya is under no illusions as to the enormity of the challenge posed by Australia, even if Sri Lanka has the advantage of home conditions. Ricky Ponting's side have emerged from a winter's break in scintillating form, brushing aside their opponents with contemptuous ease.

"We are playing the best team in the world tomorrow - it is going to be very tough," admits Jayasuriya. "The boys know that it's not going to be easy but they are looking forward to the game. We are not going to roll over just because this is Australia - we are going to give them a hard time."

He wants the players to concentrate on the basics: "We have to carry on doing the things that we have been doing well and stick to the basics. But to win against such a good side as Australia we are going to have to perform in all three departments."

But the key will be the front-end of both innings: "We have to keep our wickets intact during the first 15 overs. They have three of the best fast bowlers in the world and we have to be more cautious. But if there is anything loose then we must play our natural game."

Jayasuriya comes into the game still suffering considerable pain from a dislocated shoulder - an injury that may now require surgery - with a formidable run of form having scored 36, 102*, 71, 46, 97, 49 and 36 in his last seven games. He is the single most important reason for the turnaround in Sri Lankan fortunes and there may be concerns that he is due a failure.

He just wants to prepare in the same manner, focusing on the present rather than the past: "I am not putting myself under unnecessary pressure to perform again. The important thing is to prepare for the game as I have been before."

Coach Dav Whatmore admits the captain's contribution has been immense but believes that the other batsmen will stand up to be counted when he eventually fails. "His performances have been wonderful recently and the knock-on effect is self-evident," says Whatmore. "But there have been others that have also contributed and we are prepared for the eventuality of Sanath not getting runs. We feel confident enough with the batsmen that we have to do a repair job if he fails."

But Whatmore is concerned about the Australian batting, particularly the openers: "If you look at the other end both openers are capable of scoring big hundreds. They have been the catalyst for recent victories."

Thus, restraining Australia's powerful batting line-up has become the focus of Sri Lanka's strategic planning. The selectors and management are yet to agree on the best course of action but it is clear that they have identified spin as their trump card on the slow, turning Premadasa pitch - the only question is how many do they play.

Sri Lanka last played Australia at the same venue during the AIWA Cup straight after the 1999 World Cup. During the final of that tournament Sri Lanka played just two fast bowlers, opening the bowling with the part-time off-breaks of Russel Arnold and bowling 35 overs of spin in all. Australia were bowled out for 202 and the hosts cruised to a comfortable eight wicket win.

And once again the management are considering dropping a fast bowler to provide the luxury of three specialist spinners. With Australia having four left-handers in their top six and a perceived weakness against off-spin, Kumar Dharmasena is certain to play alongside Muttiah Muralitharan.

The dilemma is then whether to play leg-spinner Upul Chandana as well. If they do then either Dilhara Fernando or Pulasthi Gunaratne must step down. The fact that Fernando, despite being Sri Lanka's most penetrative pace bowler, struggles with the new ball means that he is the most likely to be discarded.

The case is more compelling when one considers extra depth provided by having both Dharmasena and Chandana in the lower middle order. With Chaminda Vaas they would bat down to number nine.

Sri Lanka:

Sanath Jayasuriya (capt), Marvan Atapattu, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Mahela Jayawardene, Aravinda de Silva, Russel Arnold, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Chandana, Kumar Dharmasena, Chaminda Vaas, Hasantha Fernando, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Pulasthi Gunaratne.