Sanath urges fans to turn up at RPS for ODIs

Sri Lanka’s Head Coach Sanath Jayasuriya pleaded with fans to turn up to support the team during the three match ODI series against India that gets underway at RPS today. Fans were in for a huge disappointment after the team was whitewashed 3-0 in the T-20 that preceded. During all three games, Sri Lanka’s middle order collapsed in dramatic style after being in strong positions. The team’s worst batting was seen on Tuesday in the last T-20 International where they needed nine runs in 12 balls with six wickets in hand but still couldn’t chase down 138. The fans at Pallekele started booing the team, something rarely seen in Sri Lankan grounds.

“We have to be prepared to take up criticism. I think the fans are expressing their disappointment. I can see the players are putting an enormous amount of effort. I appeal to the fans to come to the ground and support the team during the ODIs,” Jayasuriya told journalists yesterday.

“I don’t think the third game should have gone to a Super Over. You need to keep picking up singles and twos and not try to clear the ropes when the pitch has assistance for spin bowlers. As coaches, you can tell stuff but handling pressure is for those out in the middle. We are aware that part-time bowlers had got those crucial wickets. It is disappointing.”

There’s some criticism on the move not to stick to the batting line-up and promoting Wanindu Hasaranga during the third game where there were many blunders.

“Kusal Perera from the middle made a gesture to send a right-hander. His intentions of letting us know that a right-hander was needed is correct. We were prepared for the routine batting line-up. But when the set batter sends a message you need to listen to that. I would have been happier had Kusal Perera finished it off,” Jayasuriya explained.

Jayasuriya did not see any problem with players commitment but faulted their game sense. “We have created a system where top order batters could bat for two or three-hours during training. Kamindu Mendis batted for more than 600 balls during our training. Kusal Perera batted for over 700 balls and that’s quite a number of overs. I don’t see lack of commitment, but they have got to tackle pressure better. Their cricket awareness also needs sharpening.”