- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Ricky Ponting had to deal with replacing a fair number of cricketing champions in the past few years, so he can understand the challenges facing Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan right now.
Dilshan is taking on Australia in the island nation this month without the services of retired greats Sanath Jayasuriya and spin-bowler Muttiah Muralitharan.
Certainly he could have done with the pair’s skills during the first two one-day internationals, both won by Australia in convincing fashion.
And after overseeing Australian cricket as champions such as Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden called time on their careers, Ponting can see similar challenges ahead for Sri Lankan cricket.
“There’s no doubt without him (Muralitharan) in their side they’re not quite as potent as they once were but these guys can’t play forever,” Ponting said.
“We’ve been through that the last few years with some of our guys moving on and we’ve had to find guys that can come in and win games of cricket for us and Sri Lanka are finding that out now as well.”
Muralitharan’s absence is perhaps the keenest felt by Sri Lanka, with their bowlers having little impact in either of the one-day internationals so far.
Defending small targets after being bowled out in both games, the hosts have managed to take just five wickets in the series as Australia cantered to a 2-0 series lead going into Tuesday’s third match in Hambantota.
But Dilshan says the challenge is for one of his current spin bowling crop to rise to the challenge of becoming the nation’s new hero.
“(For) any captain it’s a bonus to have a guy like Murali,” Dilshan said.
“But now we have to use our other spinners to get something from somewhere to win the matches.
“We’re still looking for some spinners to fit in for Murali. We can’t find another Murali but we have a few good spinners, we have to try them and see if they can win matches for Sri Lanka.”
Australia could take an unassailable lead in the five-game series with victory in Tuesday’s clash, which starts at 2.30pm local time (1900 AEST).
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.