Sri Lankans keep dialling M

So far Murali has eight wickets from three games, while Mendis has 11 from four games. Thursday might see Murali overtake Mendis or the young turk take an unassailable lead over the old master. Today it was Murali8217;s day and his five-wicket haul 8212; along with Sanath Jayasuriya8217;s century 8212; helped Lanka record a convincing 158-run win over Bangladesh.

Against Pakistan when Mendis took four wickets, skipper Mahela Jayawardene was at hand to add more mystery to the young spinner. 8220;Does he bowl leg-spin? We8217;ve asked him to stick to his strength, the stock ball. But he8217;s free to go about with what he prefers,8221; he said.

The skipper was too happy to ignore what Mendis was bowling as long as he got wickets. 8220;We have made him a regular feature in the team because we want to nurture him while Murali is at the top of his bowling,8221; he added.

Today Jayawardene was speaking about the man who got his ninth five-wicket haul. 8220;When Murali bowls the way he does, and he keeps doing it time and again, we have lesser things to worry about,8221; Jayawardene said after the match.

A lot has been said about the docile pitches here, but today the 22-yards didn8217;t quite attract attention. With Mendis and Murali bowling in tandem, Bangladesh looked shell-shocked. 8220;It helps when you have somebody with the experience of Murali working things out,8221; says Jayawardene.

On Thursday, MS Dhoni8217;s boys will be at the receiving end since the Lankans will be once again dialling 8216;M8217;.