Twenty20 series win would propel Lanka for ODI series - Dilshan

Ravi LADDUWAHETTY reporting from Pallekelle

Sri Lanka cricket captain Tillekeratne Dilshan said that the 2-0 LG Abans Twenty20 Trophy series victory over Cameron White’s Australians would propel the team towards better performances against Australia in the One Day International series beginning today.

Addressing the post match news conference at Pallekelle International Stadium late Monday night, Dilshan remarked that Sri Lanka could win the One Day International series as well against the Aussies if they played with the same momentum and spirit, but conceded that the mechanics of the One Day International matches were different with different opposition in terms of players.

Responding to a question from the Daily News to why Sri Lanka effected two changes to the team for the second game after winning the first, when Australia did not make changes while being on the losing side, he defended the decision. “I was conscious of the Pallekelle wicket being slow which was the reason for recalling Ajantha Mendis, and the decision for the recall was also justified which resulted in creating a world bowling record of 6/16. He also defended the decision to play Thisara Perera who was brought in as batsman who could accelerate the scoring rate and bowler who also took a wicket.

Dilshan also stressed that the turning point of the match was when Deputy skipper Angelo Mathews taking the catch to dismiss Warner with the score at 73 and added that the team would look forward to perform better with the confidence that it built up winning the Twenty20 series. Asked about the comment he made after winning the first Twenty20 game on Saturday about the need for improving fielding, he said that there were areas for improvement and that all players were enthusiastic improving it. There are areas that we have to work out, he noted.

He also described Australians as strong in their fielding and stressed the need for improving in certain areas of fielding in order to effectively compete.

Asked who was to open with him in the One Day series, he said that it was most likely that it would be Upul Tharanga, but said that it was subject to Sports Ministry approval. Then Mahela could drop to Number three and Kumar at Number four and Dinesh Chandimal at Number five, he said. The entry of Lasith Malinga to the team for the ODIs would also fortify the bowling, Dilshan said.

When pointed out that youngsters such as Dinesh Chandimal, Dilruwan Perera performing well and asked whether they were posing difficulties in team selections, Dilshan said that the competition was stiff now and that everybody had to perform well to secure a place.

Asked whether the appointment of Rumesh Ratnayake along with the other coaching staff such as batting coach Marvan Atapattu, bowling coach Champaka Ramanayake and fielding coach Ruwan Kalpage being all Sri Lankans were attributable to the resounding success of the just concluded Twenty20 series, he said that communication and coordination were much easier as the players had the confidence in approaching them to sort out contentious issues.