Our batsmen let us down, says Lankan skipper Dimuth
“We can’t blame the Galle wicket and the main failure was not to build up good innings in the first innings and our batters had to take the blame for our mistakes said Sri Lanka test team skipper Dimuth Karunaratne after suffering an unexpected ten-wicket defeat by Australia within two and half days yesterday at the Galle International Cricket Stadium.
The experienced opener Karunaratne was also not among the runs in this game. In the first innings, I was at the wicket for more than 80 balls and was dismissed off a catch by Lyon. In the second innings, I had to go for the shots to attack them and that was the only option at that time. We knew second innings batting was more difficult than the first innings.
Yes, I am shocked by this defeat at Galle said Karunaratne. I think we have to discuss about our failure and want to come back hard for the second test after one week.
As a Captain, I had many challenges especially experienced batter Angelo Mathews tested positive for Covid 19 the previous night and was isolated in the hotel room for the next five days and there may be more Covid-19 victims of the teams and this is a major issue.
Our spinners couldn’t do their best at Galle turning track and that area also seriously has to be considered and batting failure at this game is also a problem and we all have to work hard for the next game said Karunaratne.
As a skipper, it was a very disappointing performance and we should have batted better and collected more runs and we couldn’t do that after winning the toss.
I was very concerned about our batting in the first innings. We all knew the importance of the first innings total at the test match and we have to think twice and prepare for the next game said Karunaratne
I myself was very successful on this Galle wicket in recent matches. But I am not going to make risky sweep and reverse sweep shots and in the second innings I had to go for the sweep shot to overcome pressure but that did not work out.
Australia made over 300 runs (321 all out) and why we couldn’t pass the 300 runs in the first innings is the main question and if we want to win the second Test we have to work on this, said Karunaratne.
We knew Australia batters had a good innings and their plan was to attack and collect runs while we also had a plan to take a good lead but it was not successful yesterday said Karunaratne.
Especially we wanted to discuss with selectors, coaching staff and all team members to find solutions before the second test and we expect to come back strongly to level the series said Dimuth.
The head coach of Sri Lanka team Chris Silverwood said our batting failure and a below-par performance by spinners are the main issues and we will have to work on these areas. We can’t control the selection matters and it’s up to them but as a team we wanted to realize everything and get back soon added Silverwood the former England coach after the match yesterday.