Sri Lanka hopes to bounce back in today’s game, says Charith

After a very successful powerplay by Windies openers Sri Lanka bowlers fought back to prolong the match until the last over but ended up on the losing side. West Indies already lead 1-0 in the series and Sri Lanka have planned to come back strongly in next game on Tuesday. However inclement weather is the main issue but Dambulla ground staff is doing a tremendous job to make the ground ready as soon as possible.

We conceded more runs during powerplay which cost us victory and this has to be rectified said Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka after the first T-20 game defeat at Dambulla. As a team we have to improve and learn how to bowl during power play in the T – 20 format.

West Indies openers Brandon King and Evis Lewis scored 74 runs in powerplay thrashing Sri Lanka pacemen Chamindu Wickramasinghe and Asitha Fernando as well as Maheesh Theekshana and the opening pair added 108 runs in 9.1 overs to lay a solid platform to chase their target of 180.

We have planned to go with four genuine bowlers and two part time bowlers myself, Chamindu and Kamindu Mendis but our plan was not executed well and conceded more runs during powerplay. We expected more turn on the wicket but it did not work due to rain and ground was fully covered.

Especially when we batted first wiith the moisture the ball swung more than we expected said skipper Asalanka.

When our bowlers couldn’t do well at powerplay our other top bowlers like Wanindu had more pressure and difficult to come back to get wickets. Chamindu we used as batting all rounder if we can use another spinner it’s good but when we will do that we will be less one batter and change team composition.

Kamindu Mendis did his part well in both batting and bowling while he took a wicket by bowling two overs. “I am very happy with Kamindu’s performance and from our schooldays at Richmond Kamindu has shown his potential and he can do more at Natiional level, said Charith Asalanka who played together from under 13 at school level.

The only positive is we played good cricket at first T – 20 and we realised our mistakes and want to come back strongly in this second game with better planning added Asalanka.

Meanwhile Sri Lanka is hoping to add one more spinner and Dunith Wellalage who also can bat well has good chance to play today while Binura Fernando and Nuwan Thushara are also fighting for a place.

Meanwhile West Indies skipper Rovman Powell is happy the way their openers approach during the power play in the first game. Brandon King the opener hit 33 ball 63 to win player of the match award. Its always important when you come to Sri Lanka to take an early lead of the series.

We all know Sri Lanka is a team that play excellent cricket at home. The toss will always vital but it’ s for any team to throw the first punch. King and Lewis have worked hard to give us a good start and win the game to take 1-0 lead said West Indies skipper.