View from Lanka: Dravid in charge is better for us

It is a fair observation; Ganguly’s style is characteristically domineering, Dravid is calm with a philosophical approach and reminiscent of the way Sachin Tendulkar ran the side when in charge in the mid-1990s.

While Marvan Atapattu, Sri Lanka’s captain, did a neat sidestep by feeling it was unfair to ‘‘generalise too much’’ on the difference between the two, there is the impression that Ganguly’s cut-and-thrust style will be missed. Dravid has his own way of playing the role: not as forceful, but the way he runs the side has its own solid imprint.

With new coach Greg Chappell barely a month into the role, there is also a thought that there will be little impact in this series. Maybe the next one, after the new coach has spent time in a match situation with the side.

‘‘Ganguly is the sort who will get much out of the players’’, was one comment. ‘‘You know he is around and that makes a difference. Dravid is quiet, the gentleman who has the iron fist in a velvet glove.’’

Australia learnt this earlier in the year when Dravid led the side to victory in Mumbai on a pitch condemned by a bitter Ricky Ponting. Smart field placing, clever tactics and bowling changes as the Australians chased down a low total saw them succumb as they often have when chasing small targets.

Both are cool, smart operators but for different reasons. They are just as passionate about leading India as they are about their game and scoring runs. There is a difference, Ganguly can be abrasive and work over opponents in mind games. Dravid’s more relaxed approach creates its own emphasis on strategies and some fall into the trap of taking it too easy and are laid flat on their back.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, have problems of their own as they prepare for the second Test of the series against West Indies here at Asgiriya. Four players are suffering a combination of illness, with the two main bowlers, Muttiah Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas sitting out the light practice session today.

Both have flu, as has Mahela Jayawardene and all-rounder Thilan Samaraweera, and while Sanath Jayasuriya attended the net session, he did not take an active part as he has a mild form of tonsillitis.

No clear light on Lawson action

KANDY: Although Jermaine Lawson has been included in the West Indies squad for the second Test despite being cited for throwing in the first Test in Colombo last weekend, it is uncertain when he will go for remedial treatment under the ICC conditions.

Umpires Simon Taufel, Nadeem Ghauri and Peter Manuel had concerns with Lawson’s elbow flexation when viewing the bowler’s action with the naked eye. They asked the ICC to commission a biomechanical report into the bowler’s action, which will be handled under the ICC’s recently revised bowling review process. Lawson will now undergo independent analysis of his action by a member of the ICC’s panel of human movement specialists as soon as possible.