“As professional cricketers we have to play in any kind of situation and condition” said Sri Lanka Skipper Charith Asalanka after the first ODI defeat in Wellington.
Skipper Asalanka further said we knew that when we came here. It’s too windy, and it’s going to be hard for us, but that’s not a excuse for the defeat. Once again bad batting put us in this situation. We lost the toss and they invited us to bat first. During the power play we lost four wickets including myself and it was always very difficult to come back. However Avishka Fernando and Janith Liyanage made fighting knocks to add valuable 87 runs for the fifth wicket which was very vital he said. I think they bowled really well up front and we lost four wickets in the Power Play. The contributions of Avishka and Janith were not enough to the total. We have to think only about positives of this game and rectify our mistakes to go forward. I think we have to reconnect to good habits and looking forward to go forward said Charith.
Avishka Fernando who scored his ninth ODI half century of this first ODI said during the training we had to face difficulties with this weather but we had to adjust for that .I think the wicket was more suited for pacemen. This type of wicket I think we have to get more than 280 runs and top order batsmen have to take more responsibility and looking forward to go forward with more confidence said Avishka Fernando who opened the innings with Pathum Nissanka.
New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner pointed out their four seamers did really well from the begining of the game. Jacob Duffy and Matt Henry bowled well with swing them around as well. This was very good preparation for forthcoming Champions trophy tournament and this was great start for our team said Santner.
It was pretty cold out there. So to see, everyone stick around, even right at the end. It was pleasing, it was amazing for us. It’s a great spectacle for us to play in front of our fans and get the sell outs that we’ve had so far added Mitchell Santner.
Two teams will meet their second ODI tomorrow at Hamilton which is a Day Night game which will commence at 6.30 a.m (Sri Lanka time)
Dhammika Ratnaweera