Now I am starting to understand how opposition batsmen have felt when they come out to bat when 'Warney' is bowling at his best. On a spinning pitch, it is hard work coming straight into a battle against a bowler who not only turns the ball at right angles, but also has the ability to spin one the other way. With such an unusual wrist action 'Murali' takes some getting used to, to say the very least.

At 0-138, we were looking in great shape for this important Test match. 'Slats' and 'Blewy' showed that the elusive off-spinner could be handled in their magnificent partnership of 138. It has been a while since we have had a century opening partnership so it was refreshing seeing these two guys batting so positively on a pitch which is turning sharply. It was unfortunate to see 'Slat's falling four runs short of his second century in consecutive innings. He followed on from his hundred in the practice match with a brilliantly controlled innings this afternoon. So close to another Test century but in the end of the day his 96 could be a telling factor in this match.

We all know that it is always going to be hard work getting a start on these pitches, but the encouraging thing is that if you get through the first half an hour then there is runs there for the picking. Our game plan centres on patience and discipline with both the bat and the ball. By sticking to this philosophy for the next three days we can even this series by Sunday afternoon.

Tomorrow morning's first session will be crucial to our prospects of achieving this ambition. Another fruitful partnership between any of our batsmen and we are right in this game which I think is going to be a very tight finish. The spirit in the camp is still high even though we didn't capitalise on a brilliant start between our two openers.

From Galle, JL