Murali is a big hole to fill: Jayawardena

Former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardena has conceded the retirement of star spinner Muttiah Muralidaran has created a massive hole in his side's bowling resources that is proving tough to fill.

Sri Lanka, which is set to face Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates starting later this month in three Tests, five One-day Internationals (ODIs) and a Twenty20 International (T20I), has failed to win any of the 11 Tests it has played since the retirement of the spin-wizard.

And reflecting on that fact, star batsman Jayawardena said: "Murali has taken 800 Test wickets, the most by any bowler in world cricket, so you know that with him in the side he is going to create something for you, even in tougher situations.

"Most of the time he breezes through line-ups, but even in tough times he is going to create that opportunity for you to change the game, he is a magician, and obviously without him it's a big hole to fill."

And reflecting on that worrying run of matches without a victory, Jayawardena said he now expected off-spinner Suraj Randiv and left-armer Rangana Herath, the heirs to Muralidaran's spinning crown, to step forward during the Test series against Pakistan that begins on 18 October

"There are a couple of young spinners who have played with Murali and have performed really well and who now have to take the burden and carry the attack," he said.

The Test series comes first with matches in Abu Dhabi (starting on 18 October), Dubai International Cricket Stadium at Dubai Sports City (starting on 26 October) and Sharjah (starting on 3 November).

Dubai hosts the first three matches of the ODI series on 11, 14 and 18 November, with subsequent matches in Sharjah (20 November) and Abu Dhabi (23 November). Abu Dhabi also hosts a Twenty20 International (25 November).

And the Dubai International Cricket Stadium at Dubai Sports City is gearing up for its biggest cricket season since opening in 2009, with 34 days of international action over the next six months.

The venue sees Pakistan play Sri Lanka in one Test and three ODIs in October and November before England arrives to face Pakistan in two Tests, two ODIs and two T20Is in January and February 2012. Then, in March, the Dubai International Cricket Stadium will host matches in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier.

Jayawardena said that despite Sri Lanka's barren run in Tests, the mood among the squad remains upbeat.

"Yes, we haven't won a Test match for a good year-and-a-half, but I think we've played some really good cricket and we have had our opportunities.

"We just need to push a bit more and create a few more opportunities and grab hold of them," he added."

The 34 year-old, who has played 122 Tests as well as 352 ODIs and 35 T20Is, said it was up to the likes of himself, fellow former captain Kumar Sangakkara and current leader Tillakaratne Dilshan to take responsibility to stop the unwanted run of results as well as nurture the new crop of promising youngsters.

"I think it's our responsibility (as senior players) to make sure that it is a smooth transitional period and at the same time try to build another team for the next 10 years," he said.

"We might not be here for that long but while we are then we have to make sure that we build a team, we make sure that these guys are comfortable and they will take Sri Lanka cricket on for the next 10 to 15 years and try and improve on what everyone else has done.

"I think we've achieved quite a bit in Sri Lanka cricket in the past 20 years, there are a lot of people who are part and parcel of that and we have carried that forward, and hopefully the next generation will do the same."

Jayawardena and his team-mates will have the chance to end that winless streak in Dubai, as well as in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, when their battle with Pakistan gets underway.

Details of how to purchase tickets and hospitality packages for matches in Dubai will be announced in the very near future.

Dubai International Cricket Stadium - Test, ODI and T20I cricket schedule 2011/12

October

26 - 30 Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Test match

November

11, 14 & 18 Pakistan v Sri Lanka ODIs

January

17 - 21 Pakistan v England, Test match

February

3 - 7 Pakistan v England, Test match

18 & 21 Pakistan v England ODIs

23 & 25 Pakistan v England T20Is

March

13 - 24 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier