Cricket-Injured Muralitharan misses second test against Pakistan

Fri Jul 10, 2009 3:59pm BST
 
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COLOMBO, July 10 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan is still having treatment on a knee injury and will miss the second test against Pakistan starting on Sunday.

The 37-year-old, who has injured his patella tendon, is also a doubt for the third test.

Wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene returned to full training this week, but was also not considered for selection as Sri Lanka, who lead the three-match series 1-0 after a 50-run victory in Galle, named an unchanged squad.

The only selection dilemma is the form of opener Malinda Warnapura, who has scored just 12 runs in his last four innings.

Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara called for improvement from his batsmen.

"We had a great final day in Galle but we all know that we were not at our best during the first three days and we have to improve," Sangakkara told Reuters.

"The batsmen in particular have been working really hard this week," he added.

"We need to be more patient, be much tighter with our techniques and work through tough phases against a decent bowling attack."

Pakistan captain Younis Khan put the first test defeat down to the pressure on his young players as the team collapsed from 71 for two to 117 all out in the second innings.  Continued...

 

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