Kusal Mendis took house the post-game accolades for a career-best 143 as Sri Lanka received the primary ODI in opposition to Unused Zealand on Wednesday by means of 45 runs by means of DLS form. Alternatively, it will have all been for nought if now not for an exemplary try by means of the bowlers.
“Asitha bowled a good line in the first couple of overs, but after that, they scored a few runs off Dilshan [Madushanka],” Kusal mentioned upcoming the sport.
Throughout the length when Unused Zealand’s openers have been attacking, Sri Lanka needed to trade in with a rainy ball and a rainy outfield, and a miles skiddier floor, courtesy weighty raindrops throughout a protracted innings fracture. They could had been fearing the worst when nearing the midway level of the innings.
“When we were batting, there didn’t really seem to be much difficulty for the bowlers; there was no dew or drizzle to deal with,” Kusal mentioned. “But we need to give credit to our bowlers. After the rain, with the dew, the ball gets quite wet. So I think the ball came on to the bat better for them [New Zealand] on the wicket, than it did for us.”
It was once the worthy Theekshana, although, who sooner or later supplied the step forward, with a double-strike within the 14th over to take away each openers. This left Unused Zealand having to begin another time, and gave Sri Lanka the outlet that they had been in search of to show the screws.
“Our plan was to keep the runs down at least, even if wickets weren’t coming,” Kusal mentioned. “The idea was to make sure the required run rate kept rising, and to build that pressure.”
“Honestly, he’s bowling quite well,” Kusal mentioned of his captain’s bowling exploits. “He has bowled a fair bit since his time with the Under-19s. But after he came to the national team, you would have five frontline bowlers regularly. So it wouldn’t be as common to use a part-time bowler.”
Asalanka has bowled in each and every of Sri Lanka’s extreme 9 ODIs, choosing up 9 wickets within the procedure. Maximum of his luck on the other hand has come on beneficial house surfaces, specifically within the order previous this time in opposition to Bharat on a Khettarama turner.
His efforts on Wednesday, although, have been the primary in situations that may now not had been as splendid for spin bowling, and it speaks against Sri Lanka’s rising self assurance in Asalanka, the bowler – one thing highlighted even additional by means of the truth that in different of Sri Lanka’s contemporary ODIs, they’ve proceed with simply 4 frontline bowlers.
“It was only because Charith had bowled so well in previous tours that we decided to go with just four [frontline] bowlers [against New Zealand],” Kusal mentioned. “He understands what’s needed of him when bowling, and adjusts depending on the batter. Even as a captain, he reads a lot of things well. Even during practice, we ask him to bowl more, so that he can be ready when needed.”
The long-term feasibility of one of these plan is questionable, specifically with authentic batting allrounders in Dunith Wellalage and Chamindu Wickramasinghe discovering themselves out of the XI. Occasion Wellalage offer higher bowling – and too can paintings on his batting – Wickramasinghe can smartly cloudless the ropes excluding being a extra helpful seam possibility than Liyanage.
Additionally, by means of opting to play games two part-time bowlers in Kamindu and Liyanage – the captain Asalanka left-overs a definite starter excluding shock or residue – Sri Lanka additionally not include possibility of getting a frontline 5th bowler. Alternatively, for the past being, they appear content material with trialing out their wave aggregate.
“Janith, Charith and Mendis – all three are bowling well,” Kamindu mentioned. “In these sort of conditions, when the ball is harder to grip, then you need a seam bowler, which is what Janith is there for. The other two are there if it’s a spinning wicket. Kamindu Mendis can bowl with both hands.
“In truth, they do the activity when required. Infrequently, if the situations trade, we will see if we want to deliver in a real speedy bowler or spinner.”
