Sri Lanka ready for South Africa

Saturday, 5 July 2014 02:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Mathews says team in form but won’t be complacent
Responds to changes in the team
De Villiers admits tough series but assures good contest

Sri Lankan cricket team captain Angelo Mathews and South African captain AB de Villiers with the series’ trophy.

Pic by Upul Abayasekara

Sri Lanka Cricket Captain Angelo Mathews said that despite the team’s recent top form, they will not underestimate the threat posed by the touring South Africans. Sri Lanka Cricket yesterday (4 July) unveiled the Royal Stag Cricket Gear series between hosts Sri Lanka and South Africa with the first ODI to begin on Sunday (6). Addressing the media at the launch event held at the Taj Samudra yesterday, Mathews welcomed the South African team to Sri Lanka while promising an exciting and tightly-contested series. “We are happy with our squad for this series and we’re in form but we can’t be complacent. South Africa has a very balanced team and we will not underestimate them,” he said. Sri Lanka comes into this series fresh off the back of a historic series win in England. The hosts have enjoyed a successful year in all three formats after winning the Asia Cup and World T20 Championship in Bangladesh. There is added incentive for both teams as they go into the series with a chance to claim the No. 2 spot in the ICC ODI rankings. “It’s definitely in the back of our minds but we have to take it one game at a time. We need to focus on playing good cricket,” Mathews stated. Commenting on Dinesh Chandimal’s omission from the team, Mathews said that Chandimal was a quality player who would certainly bounce back. “Every player goes through lean patches and it’s important to give him a break. But he’ll be back soon I’m sure.” He added that Kusal Perera would undergo a fitness test today (5) while off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake, who underwent testing at Cardiff Metropolitan University for a suspect bowling action, has been included in the side. Kithuruwan Vithanage has also been brought into the team. South Africa Cricket ODI Captain AB De Villiers congratulated the Sri Lankan team on their recent achievements and admitted that the series would be a tough test for his team especially as the Sri Lankans are formidable on home soil. “We’ve not played well here in the past but we have a very good team for this tour with lots of experience in there,” he said. De Villiers spoke about the importance of spin bowlers such as Imran Tahir and JP Duminy when playing on the subcontinent and claimed that they would play a vital role in his team’s success. “Not many see Duminy as a fulltime spinner but he can adapt and has improved greatly in the last year. We certainly see him as a fulltime spinner in our team.” Both coaches also shared their views on the tour as Sri Lanka Coach Marvan Atapattu stressed the importance on riding on the good form the team is currently enjoying and extending its winning streak. “The England tour is over now and we have to look ahead. We have to make the best use of the form we are in,” he stated. Atapattu also added that facing a quality pace attack would serve as good preparation ahead of the ICC World Cup in 2015. South Africa’s Head Coach Russell Domingo also shared similar sentiments regarding the importance of their tour ahead of the World Cup, claiming that the team could learn important lessons regarding a potential World Cup opponent. Sri Lanka Cricket also launched the cricket team’s new jersey to be worn by the players during the ODI series against South Africa. The first game of the three-match ODI series will be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo while a two Test-match series will follow, with the first game to be played in Galle on 16 July.

ICC Cricket World Cup on show at Galle Face today

The ICC Cricket World Cup trophy was brought to Sri Lanka yesterday as the first destination in its world tour. The Sri Lanka Cricket has organised an exciting line up of events for the benefit of cricket fans at the Galle Face Green opposite Taj Samudra Hotel from 12.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. Fans can take pictures of the trophy, sign a massive board containing wishes to the Lankan cricket team, a mini cricket match and other side events etc. The Lankan cricket team will also be present between 4.00 p.m. and 6.00 p.m. On its arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport, Sri Lanka Cricket Captain Angelo Mathews and Lahiru Thirimanna along with Sri Lanka Cricket CEO Ashley de Silva were present to receive the trophy– Pic by Deepa Adikari