Second test against Sri Lanka begins on December 26:
South Africa seek ruthless approach
South Africa have to become more ruthless in their approach as they
seek to secure a series-winning victory in the second test against Sri
Lanka, captain Graeme Smith said on Friday.
South Africa have not won a home series since beating Bangladesh in
2008. They have lost and drawn two series against Australia and drawn
series against England and India.
The hosts are coming off a comprehensive innings and 81-run win over
Sri Lanka in the first test in Centurion and have the chance to win the
three-test series when the second test starts at Kingsmead in Durban on
December. 26. “We are in the process of improving certain facets of our
game.
Being more ruthless, being able to string three sessions together in
a day is something that we are really trying to do. We haven’t been able
to do that consistently and that is where we have been costing ourselves
so we want to improve on that,” Smith told a news conference.
South Africa’s skipper went on to say that it was important that his
team did not lose their focus during the Christmas break.
“The preparation is going to be important. Making the most of our
time at this time of year is crucial. During Christmas it is important
that you maintain your focus. Our preparation is a key factor to that,”
he explained.
South Africa have had a mixed start to their home international
season this year drawing a two-test series against Australia before the
heavy win over Sri Lanka.
Smith said that he felt that his team had shown improvement, partly
down to the fact that the same XI had taken to the field in three
consecutive tests.
“We have got better as the season has gone on. There was a more
settled nature within the squad during the Centurion test against Sri
Lanka because of the confidence shown in players,” he said.
“That stability around the team, having not played a test match since
January, is crucial and it’s good to see that the players have taken
that on board and performed.”
Smith’s opposite number, Tillakaratne Dilshan, has a completely
different set of problems as he tries to lift his players after a run of
15 tests without a win.
“We have had a lot of meetings over the last two days about what
areas we need to improve on. I feel everybody is mentally strong at the
moment.
They know what their roles are and they will give 100 percent,” said
Dilshan.
“One thing that we can do is that our batting unit has to stand up
and get some runs on the board because then we can try and put some
pressure on them (South Africa).
“We have an experienced batting line-up in Mahela (Jayawardene),
Kumar (Sangakkara), Thilan Samaraweera and myself. We need to apply
ourselves out in the middle.
We are preparing well but we have not clicked at as a unit and that
is the main reason we have not done well.” REUTERS |