DAMBULLA: A one-day international series defeat at the hands of Bangladesh would have been unimaginable four years ago. But that is the situation Sri Lanka are confronted with when they meet their fast improving opponents in the second ODI of a three-match series at the Rangiri Dambulla Stadium under lights today.
It certainly is a must win situation for Sri Lanka if they are have any chance of keeping their hopes alive in the series. They had their problems compounded by losing the first match played at this venue on Saturday to be trailing 0-1. One more defeat is what they cannot afford because it would give Bangladesh their maiden series win over Sri Lanka in seven attempts. The nearest Bangladesh has come to winning an ODI series previously was when they drew 1-all in 2013.
 Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha in conversation with his in-form opening batsman Tamim Iqbal at practice yesterday. Pictures by Rukmal Gamage |
Asanka Gurusinha, cricket manager of Sri Lanka barely 20 days into his new position said the team was really pumped up after losing the first game.
“We know the pressure is on us because we don’t have any more chances, it’s like a main final for us. We are pretty confident that we can play much better than we did,” said Gurusinha at the pre-match press conference yesterday.
“There will pressure on the individuals but we don’t talk about it. As a management team and coaching staff we look at certain skills we need to improve and look at the active each player needs to do and their responsibilities.
“That’s one thing we are doing and talk about what their responsibility is. Each person if they do what they are supposed to do and give everything they have and, come back and we lose that means Bangladesh has played better than us. That’s where we are more focussed on and working with each individual,” he said.
Gurusinha was realistic when the question of Sri Lanka’s fielding standards was raised.
“It’s a lie if I say that our fielding has been good because it’s not. That’s an area it has been there for a while. We have put certain things in place but we are not going to see anything overnight,” said Gurusinha.
“We are trying to do certain things that will help, in the short term. It’s very important for us to get our fielding up and running in the short term. In the last game we fielded well in patches but in one-day cricket or any cricket these days you cannot do that, you’ve got to field 50 overs brilliantly.
“That was lacking and we are hoping that with the team we are going to select today will have more balance in that. The main thing for me is if you are improving, what you are doing is right. If you are not improving everyday you’ve got to go back again to the drawing board,” he said.
“More match condition fielding is the most important thing. You can have a lot of fielding out there but match condition is completely different. We are trying to get that going for the team which will help us in the short term.”
For today’s game Sri Lanka has added two fast bowlers and a specialist off-spinner to their squad.
“We have included Nuwan Kulasekera and Nuwan Pradeep into the squad the main reason was Suranga Lakmal’s fitness (hand injury), it can take 24-48 hours so we didn’t want someone to come in tomorrow morning,” said Gurusinha.
“We thought to get two players in so that we have more options to look at. Upto yesterday we were not sure whether Lakmal would play but he has recovered and was okay today.”
Niroshan Dickwella who had served a two-match ban and was available for selection for today’s match suffered an unfortunate injury to his left thumb during training on Sunday. X’rays has revealed a hairline fracture and he has been ruled out of the squad.
Dickwella’s injury has given the Lankan selectors the opportunity to include an off-spinner in the squad - the absence of one was glaring exposed in the first ODI.
Dilruwan Perera whose number of Test appearances (16) outweighs the number of times he has appeared for his country in ODIs – 10, replaces Dickwella.
Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza said that his team was wary of what happened to them in the last ODI series against New Zealand which they lost 0-3 away.
“The three ODIs pose a big question since we have been playing this format at home for the last two years. We did well at home, so our challenge started in New Zealand,” said Mashrafe.
“We couldn’t do it there, despite creating a lot of chances. In the second and third ODIs, we gave away to good starts. We have to hold on to good starts here, with bat and ball.
“Sri Lanka has a more matured squad in the ODIs than the Tests. It is not going to be easy for us. A small innings can change things in the ODIs and T20s. We have to try to execute our plans to the full, or we just have to fight till the end.
“We want to give our best, and be up to the mark from the first ball. If we can’t do this, we must fight till the last ball. We have to keep the spirit, which I feel is present in the team. Those players, who were in the Test team, should be quite confident. I feel we can play well,” he said.
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