da betsul： Conscious that a world-class spinner would more than likelypose a threat to them on their tour of Sri Lanka, the WestIndies adopted an unusual strategy in their nine-day pretour training camp in Jamaica
Haydn Gill01-Nov-2001Conscious that a world-class spinner would more than likelypose a threat to them on their tour of Sri Lanka, the WestIndies adopted an unusual strategy in their nine-day pretour training camp in Jamaica.Team coach Roger Harper revealed just before departure forthe Asian country that pitches during the camp were doctoredto suit spinners.We scuffed up the pitches and that sort of thing so that thebatsmen could get used to seeing the ball turn a lot, Harpersaid. We created the atmosphere physically from a pitchcondition point of view.It is no secret that Muttiah Muralitharan, regarded as oneof the game’s finest ever off-spinners, could be a handfulfor West Indies batsmen. The 29-year-old has taken 350wickets in 66 Tests and has taken five or more wickets in aninnings on 28 occasions.As part of their preparations, the West Indies spent severalhours watching videos of the Sri Lankans, especially whenplaying on home soil where they have become a force to bereckoned with in recent years. Sri Lanka’s last 25 Tests athome have produced ten victories.The two countries have met only three times in Tests. Thefirst was in Sri Lanka on the 1993-1994 tour when theyplayed to a draw in a solitary match. The West Indiestriumphed 1-0 in a short two-match series in the Caribbeanfour years ago.