"We still have a good chance to win this Australia series and hope to win today's second game with better plans, said Sri Lankan wicket keeper batter Kusal Mendis. Kusal is very happy about his personal batting performance during the first ODI and his fighting unbeaten knock of 86 paved the way to build up Sri Lanka for challenging total of 300 for 7 wickets.
"We had a good chance to win the first ODI but we made few mistakes and those have should be corrected after discussing with coaches as well as players".
Especially both openers Pathum Nissanka and Dhanushka Gunathileka made a superb partnership of 115 in just 19.4 overs which made good platform to the team. The top order batters have responsibility and every player must do best for the team. Especially Nissanka and Dhanushka played against top bowling unit of the opponents. Actually when the rain halted the game and once again resumed after 118 minutes with a revised target it was never expected and after rain the condition of the wicket little bit changed and bowlers had difficulties to bowl. When Hasaranga got his first wicket of skipper Aaron Finch the rain halted the game and if it will continued the bowl at that stage the game could have changed.
Kusal Mendis said wicket keeping is nothing new to him. I kept wickets at my school as well as my clubs while recent times there are few other keepers did this job and I had to settle as a batter. However Wicket keeping always give extra benefits for my batting success.
When I keep wicket at first then at the second time come to the wicket as a batter and my eye always adjust very well and that is good advantage to get more runs as a batter. However what ever duty as a player I always try to do my best for the team as well as the country said Kusal Mendis.
Kusal was missed from the recent ODI series due to injuries as well as his failure but he came back with good performance and that is beneficial for the team.
I am very happy to see young Dunith Wellalage's performance. I think he never fear and a gutsy player at any stage and this quality always give more success for the team. This is the first time Dunith Wellalage playing with us. He has good potential and he has a good future. We can't predict him after observer one match and he has more opportunities to develop his skills said Kusal Mendis.
Sri Lanka is ready to take today's challenge against Australia and Kusal Mendis said if we will win today's second game we have good chance to win the series after go back to play Colombo three ODI's.
The man of the match Glenn Maxwell said that he is very satisfied with his fighting knock. "I came to the middle and did it very well. There were few wickets down and we were under a bit of pressure at one stage. I was able to play together at the end and play, with Jhye Richardson to seal the victory".
"This was one of my 'smarter innings,' and it's nice to see at this difficult stage. When the conditions aren't as favourable for the batting side, that was really pleasing. I was just trying to stay out there as long as I could. I knew I was going to get balls to score off in my areas at some stage and I was just trying to take risks at the right time," said Maxwell.
Maxwell the one of the fastest scorer in the team said when the left arm spinner came back on, I think there was only three overs left, I think that was a good opportunity to try and get the run rate down under six, and then try and do it in the next over without letting it get to the last over."
"The reverse sweep is something I've practiced. It's not a fluke. I've worked on it really hard over the years, and to be able to rely on it, even in conditions where it's spinning, it's nice to have that skill, added Glenn Maxwell".
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