Didn’t expect pitch to turn: Mathews

Tuesday, 21 July 2015 01:08 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

ESPNcricinfo: Angelo Mathews said that a dramatic change in the playing surface was a major factor in Sri Lanka’s heavy defeat in the third ODI. Though Sri Lanka conceded 316 for 4 from their fifty overs, Mathews refused to blame the bowling. No team has set a target of 300 or more and lost, in Sri Lanka.

Pakistan were poised for an even higher score, at 221 for 3 after 40 overs, but Sri Lanka’s bowlers delivered some relatively cheap overs during the death. However, the attack only managed to take two wickets in the match, with two of Pakistan’s batsmen falling to run outs.

“In the second innings the ball started turning and it was pretty hard to score,” Mathews said. “We never really got going with our 20-4 batting. I think the bowlers couldn’t have done anything different. They were cruising through, and they were on course for about 350, but we stopped them for 316. The bowlers couldn’t have done anything different. It was playing really well for the batters in the first half and then it started turning in the second half, so we really never got going with our batting. “

Sri Lanka lost both openers inside the Powerplay, and continued to lose quick wickets through the middle overs. They were all out for 181 in the 42nd over.

“From what I saw it was a very hard wicket, and we didn’t expect it to turn. But it started turning and it was quite difficult to go after the spinners. The rate kept going up and the boys had to go for it rather than just blocking and take singles. When you’re going after 316 you just have to take that calculate risk. Nothing really paid off.”

Mathews meted out mild, but uncommon uncommon criticism to Thisara Perera, who has taken 1 wicket at an average of 110, and an economy rate of 5.5. He has also scored only 28 runs in three completed innings in the series so far.

“I actually expect a lot more from [Thisara],” Mathews said. “He hasn’t been consistent enough for us. We just keep believing in him, because we all know that he wins you games as well. But after all consistency also matters. We had chats with him. I thought he bowled pretty well today, but we need him to contribute with his batting as well. Hopefully he can contribute with bat and ball in the next match.”

He was complimentary of Lahiru Thirimanne, who snapped a string of low-scores across formats, with a 56 from 67 balls in this match. He was given the chance to bat at no. 3 for the first time in the series - a position that he has usually succeeded at, securing an average of well over 40 there.

“We had a lot of faith in Thiri, and we knew that he was going to deliver. We just kept talking to him because we know he’s a special talent. He’s ideal for that no.3 position. The way he batted I’m very pleased. Hopefully he can continue the same way in the next few games.”