“We will bounce back” – assures skipper Mahela

Sports

By Harry Jayachandra

Lankan skipper Mahela Jayewardene is sure that they can bounce back.
(Pic by Sanka Vidanagama)

The Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardena is also a worried man with his failing to throw up the coin in Sri Lanka’s favour in the four games that were played so far. “Unfortunately we have had to bowl first in all the day-night
matches. As a result our bowlers have not been able to get the bounce and movement off the pitch which one normally can get in when bowling second in the evening,” said Captain of Sri Lanka Mahela Jayawardene speaking to The Sunday Times ahead of his side’s final outing against India which takes place today at the R. Premadasa Stadium.

The Lankan team goes in to this game trying to avert a humiliating whitewash against a rampant Indian side. The Sunday Times spoke to Jayawardene about what went wrong and where does Sri Lanka go from here.

He said; “It has been very disappointing. Yes we have not bowled in the given circumstances. I do not think there is anything to panic about. We brought in Dilhara (Fernando) for the last game. But even he struggled with the conditions. And since the quicks have not been as effective as we would have liked that has put more pressure on the spinners. As for Ajantha Mendis, I think batsmen are reading him better. But at the end of the day he like the rest of the bowlers, is trying to take wickets and he is still young. He will learn, we just have to be patient with him.”

He added; “We rate ourselves highly in the field. And this series has been disappointing in that we have dropped crucial catches and given away about 10 to 15 runs in each game. This is another aspect we are working very hard on. I also do not think it is fair to pass judgment on anyone based on just one series. If you take the last twelve months we have been improving in each series. Nuwan Kulasekera’s performances have been consistent. Maharoof (Farveez) is improving from game to game after his break due to an injury and so is Thilina Thushara. Unfortunately in this particular series, it did not go the way we planned.”

There is a school of thought that perhaps Tillekeratne Dilshan should be replaced at the top of the order with a player who can stay and bat through the innings. When asked, Jayawardene said; “Dilshan knows his role. If you take the series against Pakistan he performed extremely well. If either Sanath (Jayasuriya) or Dilshan bat right through the innings, either one of them will score at least 130 to 150 runs. Sadly for us that did not happen in this series. Dilshan will learn from his mistakes and he is working very hard at his game.”

He added; “As for my personal form, I feel very good. It is just that we have been chasing big scores. Thus one does not have the time to settle in as one has to be conscious of the run rate. Overall as I said earlier there is no reason to panic. We have a good unit and we just have not had the rub of the green.”

When questioned about Chaminda Vaas who has been performing very well domestically and Lasith Malinga, Jayawardene said; “I do not believe the door has been closed on Vaas. I think he understands the situation and that he can force his way back in to the side. As for Malinga, he has been included in the 20/20 team to face India on Tuesday. As you know he is coming back from a long lay off due to injury. We do not wish to rush Malinga, just gently get him back to full fitness and form.”

“As for the forthcoming test series against Pakistan, we are looking forward to it. We do not get many opportunities to play tests. Thus we will be fully prepared and going all out to win the series” said Jayawardene in conclusion.

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