By Dhammika Ratnaweera reporting from Pallekele
A spirited performance by the visiting England team beat Sri Lanka in the second test at Pallekele to take the series with a 2-0 unassailable lead thus to keep the Sri Lankan camp still struggling for victory to come out their poor run. Needing only runs for victory with five wickets in hand and Angelo Mathews and Niroshan Dickwella on the crease, Sri Lanka bundled out loosing last five wickets for 23 runs to show off their poor cricketing spirits.
Sri Lanka coach Chandika Haturusinghe attributed the loss of the second test to poor batting and less fighting spirits by Sri Lankan batsmen. “Our batting has been a problem for a long time. In the first innigs, the middle order played well with the tailenders at when it was necessary in the second innings, they failed miserably. Our batting is very unpredictable” said Sri Lankan coach.
However, Hathurusinghe said that coming from a defeat in Galle, Sri Lankan team had done well to be in the verge of winning the second test. “I am sure, players will address their issues and will make a plan to win the third test” said a hopeful coach.
On the hand, England’s coach Trevor Bayliss, who is also a former coach of the Sri Lankan cricket team said that he was delighted to see the performances of the English spinners on Sri Lankan soil. “Both Galle and Pallekele pitches were fine and the spinners had to work hard to take wickets.” applauded coach Bayliss for his spinners. He further said that he was happy to see Joe Root is taking his role successfully after the retirement of Aliastair Cook.
“Sri Lanka is a young and new-look team, now that Rangana Herath too had retired, it would take them some time to come back” said Bayliss.
Nevertheless, Sri Lankan cricketing fraternity had raised eyebrows on what had been delivered by coach Hathurusinghe after he returned following a successful stint Bangladesh cricket team. “In Bangladesh actually the expectations were different, the team performed well without any pressure. But here, Sri Lankan team is under pressure to win every match they play. Anyway, as head coach, I take the blame and responsibility for this poor run” explained coach saying that he is confident that Sri Lanka would come good soon.
Coach Hathurusinghe further explained that the attitude and the mindset of the Sri Lankan players are important to drive them towards a victory path. “We have a plan and we are working hard to come good” said Hathurusinghe.
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