SL look to end SA, Dambulla losing streaks

By Madushka Balasuriya

Sri Lanka will be looking to arrest a seven-game losing streak in Dambulla when they take on a resurgent South African side later today, while the visitors will be hoping to make it 10 wins on the trot against the Lankan outfit.

In the opening game, the hosts were essentially out of the game by the end of the first 10 overs, as Sri Lanka crumbled to 36/5 with not even the first power play completed. In light of that collapse, Captain Angelo Mathews was keen to emphasise the importance of carefully negotiating those early overs.

“It was disappointing to lose five wickets within the span of eight overs,” said Mathews on the eve of the game. “We could have negotiated those eight overs and had we done that we could have been in a different position. Losing that many wickets put the middle order under pressure. We would like to rectify that in our next game.”

While spinner Tabraiz Shamsi ended up picking up four wickets in the game, it was South Africa’s pace contingent that did the critical damage early. Kagiso Rabada and Lungu Ngidi accounted for four of the first five wickets - the other being a run out - and Mathews acknowledged that the Dambulla track, where Sri Lanka have only a 60% win rate, may have more in it for the seamers than other wickets in the country.

“The conditions here are bit different from Galle or Colombo. The wind that blows here is a bit cold. That helps the fast bowlers at times,” he explained.

“They have a strong new ball attack with Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi. Both of them bowled well. We have to cope with those eight to ten overs, and when the ball gets slightly older batting does become easier.”

However, despite the nature of Sri Lanka’s defeat in the first game, Mathews was not panicking just yet and was confident the team would be able to put forward an improved showing - not only with the bat but also with the ball, where he feels South Africa have started working out how to play the Lankan spinners.

“We don’t have to overthink too much. We have four games to go and we have an opportunity to turn things around. Yes we have lost nine games to them but we need to play well in our conditions. 

“They are an experienced side and from the Test series I am sure they have learned a few things, as while batting they are countering the threat posed by our spinners. We have to counter those plans. We also didn’t bat well and the batters know that we can’t make the same mistakes again.”

With the conditions likely to be favourable for fast bowlers again, Sri Lanka will be without the services of one their quickest bowlers in Lahiru Kumara. The 21-year-old split the webbing between the ring and little finger on his left hand during training and will be the only change Sri Lanka make for the game.

Key to replacing Kumara’s output, and also balancing the team, will be Thisara Perera. Perera has put in more consistent performances over the last year, with both bat and ball, and Mathews believes this improvement has made the 29-year-old a vital member of the one-day squad.

“We treat Thisara as an all-rounder. He has evolved in the last year and half and he has made runs consistently and has been taking wickets. He will bowl his overs and he is an important member of our team.”

The second ODI gets underway in Dambulla at 2.30 p.m.