'It's time for us to move out and prove ourselves' - Atapattu

by Sa'adi Thawfeeq

One could safely say that Sri Lanka weren't tested to the full by an emerging Bangladesh side in the three-match one-day international cricket series so much so that coach Tom Moody went to the extent of saying that his team could not make full use of the new rules with regard to substitutes.

"When you are allowed to have a super-sub it allows you to have a lot more depth depending on which way you go. There are a lot of options for the captain whether it be batting or bowling," said Moody. "We found that it wasn't effectively used in this series because we weren't in any sort of pressure situation where it could be tested."

"We won the three matches rather easy than we expected. It is very hard for those new one-day rules to be really gauged properly. We used them to our advantage through the series but not from a point of view in a pressure match situation," said Moody. "It was more so from the balance of the team giving players more opportunities. In a tighter match situation we will be in a better chance to judge the new rules and regulations."

It was the first time in a home series that the new experimental rules like super-subs and power play came to be used. Sri Lanka won 3-0 and it was so totally one-sided that the series lacked the competitive edge.

"We never wanted the series to be this easy. It came to us in an easier way than we thought," was the view of Sri Lanka captain Marvan Atapattu.

"Bangladesh is a much improved side from the last time we met them, but we are playing well. It is another series win after all. It doesn't mean that we have achieved what we want to be. We still have areas where we can improve. We have won more series at home. It is time for us to concentrate on winning outside and make a mark," said Atapattu.

For no fault of theirs in the past couple of years Sri Lanka has been confronted with very weak opposition. Last year they toured Zimbabwe and thrashed an under-strength side in two Tests and three one-day internationals. Prior to Bangladesh's arrival here, they came up against a weakened West Indies team and the result was the same.

"The positive side of it is that we have manage to keep our intensive levels high to beat teams like Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. We have done our homework well. We respect teams and we do what we can do best without thinking too much about the opponents. It is shown by our results," said Atapattu.

"The difference between a good side and an average side in world cricket as I see it, is team work. Take Australia for that matter. Why they have been a good side is that there is somebody who will carry the burden on a given day," he said.

Coach Moody, more sympathetic towards Bangladesh said his team had a lot of respect for them. "Sri Lanka was in a similar position quite a few years ago. There is a metre of respect there. You've got to understand they are an emerging side.

It is not going to happen overnight," said Moody. "But we've seen the success that Sri Lanka's had with some hard work and perseverance. From our personal point of view we know there are areas we can improve and we will improve. We can't expect Bangladesh to come over here and look to beat us 3-0 in this stage of their development."

Moody said playing against sides like Bangladesh, it could be difficult at times to keep his team motivated.

"The ability of moving the side around, changing batting orders, resting three of the most senior players today was one way of motivating the side because you are giving opportunities to other players. Hopefully, they will grab those opportunities with both hands and create a competitive environment within the squad," said Moody.

Playing a side like Bangladesh at home gave Sri Lanka the opportunity to give continuous exposure to youngsters like Upul Tharanga, Dilhara Lokuhettige and Farveez Maharoof.

Moody said: "We are very conscious of looking to build for the future. We were lucky enough to see the success of Upul Tharanga. He had a slow start in the Indian Oil series but proved his class in this series. It is important that we do him best in the future. He is a good example of that.

"Lokuhettige is another one who is a player who could play an important role in Sri Lankan cricket in the future. It is important they get exposure. A series like this has given us the opportunity to look at a few players and for them to get confidence."

Moody said the plus points to come out of the series was the comeback of fast bowler Dilhara Fernando and the bowling of Maharoof.

"Fernando's had a bit of a tough time with injury. He's come back well and bowled with good pace and fire. His confidence is up and that's a good positive for Sri Lanka," said Moody.

"Maharoof bowled superbly well in the Indian Oil series and has shown here that he going to be a more valuable bowler going into the future."

Atapattu expressed confidence that with the next generation of cricketers they had Sri Lanka cricket was in good hands.