Dilshan confident of better performances at SSC
Elmo Rodrigopulle Reporting from Pallekele
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Mahela Jayawardena reached his 39th half century in Test
cricket. |
‘We have been failing in the first innings of both Tests, but coming
good in the second innings. We must perform better in the first innings.
It is my hope that we will do that in the Final Test beginning at the
SSC on Friday, win the Test and square the series. That is my hope’,
said the Sri Lankan captain Tillekeratne Dilshan at the end of match
press briefing.
“Individually and collectively we talked about our failure to post a
big score in the first innings. W decided that if we are determined we
could bat better and make a big score in the second innings, and we did
just that’, said Dilshan. ‘We toyed with the idea of wiping off the
deficit and trying to get about 150 to 175 and putting the Aussies in
and make some difference. But we had no control over the bad light and
rain, said the Lankan captain.
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Sangakkara drives during his innings of 69. Pictures by
Kamal Jayamanne |
When asked whether they could be any changes in the team for the
final Test, Dilshan sad that left arm spinner Rangana Herath is
recovering from his injury and will begin training and if passed fit
will be given the opportunity to play. As for Ajantha Mendis, he has
still not recovered from his back problem and would not be considered.
As to the composition of the team for the vital Test he said that he
would be going in seven batsmen and four bowers. He hoped that his
batsmen will oblige by getting a big first innings score from where they
could probe for a series squaring win.
He also revealed that if they could win the final Test, we could
still have a chance of playing in the World Test Championship in England
in 2013.
In the first innings in the Galle Test Sri Lanka made 105 and here in
Pallekele it was 174. That the game had to end in a stalemate was sad,
considering that it promised more at the end of the first day.
Dilshan, like Michael Clarke the Australian captain praised the
Pallekele pitch saying it was a good pitch for batting.
When questioned about Mahela Jayawardena’s dismissal which was a bit
controversial, Clarke said that he took the snick clean, but that if
Jayawardena wished he could take it to the third umpire.
Jayawardena did just that and when ruled out by the third umpire
gracefully accepted the decision.
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