Skipper Charith praises brilliant fielding of the team

Fielding was outstanding throughout the New Zealand series and our boys were really working hard and fielding specialist coach Upul Chandana did an excellent job said Sri Lanka Skipper Charith Asalanka after the New Zealand ODI series at Pallekele.

The silent hero of the Sri Lanka camp coach Upul Chandana who himself was one of the best fielders of former Sri Lanka team presently work hard with Sri Lanka players. Especially during the second ODI at Pallekele Avishka Fernando took three outstanding catches while Pathum Nissanka took a great catch and finally New Zealand was restricted to 209 runs.

At the abandoned last ODI once again skipper Charith Asalanka took a superb catch at mid off to dismiss Tim Robinson also highlighted in this game. Going back to last World Cup Sri Lanka fielding was not up to the standard and presently it’s well improved and credit should go to fielding coach Upul Chandana.

Sri Lanka ODI team’s recent success proved five ODI series wins in 2024. “With five ODI series victories I’m really pleased with our performance,” said skipper Charith Asalanka. It’s not easy to win five consecutive series. Although it’s at home, it’s a good achievement from Sri Lanka team. Earlier Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe (2-0 ) beat Afghanistan (3-0), beat India (2-0) beat West Indies (2-1) and this time beat New Zealand (2-0).

During this five ODI series Sri Lanka used not more than 21 players and they gave more chances to same players to get success.

Charith Asalanka has shown fine leadership during this series. He always leading from the front to get runs as a batsman while as an off spinner he was able to take vital wickets to put pressure on opponents.

“As a skipper I’m enjoying my role always and I believe I have to enjoy everything, that’s the key to success.” added Asalanka.

This series Sri Lanka team had a lot of positives. Especially, Kusal Mendis batted really well. Nissanka always in good form. Both of them have shown their potential as top order batters. Avishka Fernando also back to the runs with a century and most important thing is they have to show consistent performance.

The bowlers also bowled well and our fielding was really good. But we have to improve a few more areas to go forward, added Asalanka. Sri Lanka played without key spinner Wanidu Hasaranga due to injury in this ODI series and spinners Jeffry Vandersay, Maheesh Theekshana and young Dunith Wellalage did decent job while paceman Asitha Fernando was among the wickets throughout the series and his ability to bowl at this spin favor wicket was exceptional.

Now Sri Lanka team is ready for the South Africa test series which will start from November 27 followed by New Zealand tour once again for the T-20 and ODI series in the last week of December.

Meanwhile New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner said It’s for us always a challenge to come here, the conditions are different than at home. It’s a shame we couldn’t finish the game in last ODI, we had a good start. Will Young started well and Nicholls did well to build a partnership with him, the last wicket was better than the previous game. I thoroughly enjoyed my captaincy. It was a good learning for the youngsters. We always enjoy coming to Sri Lanka, added New Zealand skipper.

Source:Daily News