|
|
Mahela stresses need to focus lead up to second Test
Wednesday, 27 June 2012 - 12:21 PM SL Time
 Share On Facebook
|
|
|
Sri Lanka s captain Mahela Jayawardene, left, in discussion with coach Graham Ford during the first Test against Pakistan at the Galle International Stadium. Sri Lanka won the first Test by 209 runs. The second Test gets underway at SSC on Saturday.
(Pic by Gemunu Amarasinghe)
by Rex Clementine
Sri Lanka cricket captain Mahela Jayawardene is keen not to repeat the mistakes against England a couple of months back and has stressed the need to keep concentration levels high ahead of the second Test against Pakistan as Sri Lanka search for their first Test series win since 2009. Since beating New Zealand in August 2009, Sri Lanka have not been able to win a Test series. The hosts won the opening Test against Pakistan by 209 runs in Galle on Monday. The second Test gets underway on Saturday at SSC.
`We have to be positive. There are two more matches to go and we need to put this (Galle) match behind and keep improving. We need to focus on that and try and be lot more consistent with bowling, batting and fielding. A lot of hard work is required going into the next Test Match,` Jayawardene told journalists after Sri Lanka won the first Test with a day to spare.
Sri Lanka beat England in Galle in March by 75 runs but lost the second Test at P. Sara Stadium by eight wickets.
`That s why I said we need to have much more focus. We need to handle the conditions at SSC very well. We need to try and get on top of the opposition and keep the pressure,` Jayawardene added.
Fast bowler Nuwan Pradeep Fernando, although managed just one wicket in the Galle Test, bowled with pace and Jayawardene said that he was impressed with the 25-year-old, who was playing his second Test Match. `I was very impressed with Nuwan Pradeep. He has got raw talent. The more games he plays, he can be a contributing factor for us going forward.`
While Jayawardene said that Tharanga Paranavithana is out of danger after being stuck on the hand while fielding on day four, Chanaka Welagedara has been ruled out and hinted that fast bowler Dilhara Fernando as a possible replacement into the squad.
`Chanaka (Welagedara) is injured and we need to look at another replacement. Suranga (Lakmal) has done an operation and he will be out for at least six months. We have sent some of the other bowlers to South Africa so that they will gain confidence. Dilhara Fernando is looking good but he has a shoulder problem and he has pulled through in the last week. He is an experienced guy whom we can call upon,` Jayawardene said.
`We still have Thisara (Perera) and we can fall back on him. Young guys are coming through and we like to give them opportunities as well while keeping those experienced guys around. Playing Test cricket is not easy,` Jayawardene added.
|
|
|
|
Search All News and Discussions