Mahela Jayawardene rues top order collapse – Cricket News Update
Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene rued top order collapse after his side lost the ODI series opener to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 by 21 runs.
“We've got some big-hitters at the end, but we left too much for them to do,” lamented the home skipper after his side failed to chase down a mammoth target (314) against world champions India, at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota,
on Saturday, July 21.
“Too many mistakes, against a quality side like India. It was important for us to set up a platform, Sanga was trying to build an innings. We never had momentum going into the last 10 overs,” Jayawardene added further.
Returning from a longish break, Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men showed their supreme class amassing a colossal total of 314 runs – courtesy http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SK-Raina-c2539 (50). Thisara Perera was the only Sri Lankan bowler to trouble
the opposition with three wickets, but that too at the cost of 70 runs.
While chasing a massive total, the Islanders needed a solid and brisk start, however, they got off to a shakily, losing opener http://www.senore.com/Cricket/TM-Dilshan-c2691 for only six runs, with the scorecard reading nine. Veteran Sangakkara’s arrival at number three provided
the Sri Lankan innings some stability, as he shared a half-century stand with Dilshan’s opening partner http://www.senore.com/Cricket/WU-Tharanga-c2802, taking the tally to 86.
But once Tharanga departed in the 19th over, the middle order completely failed to complement Sangakkara’s efforts – http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AD-Mathews-c913 (7) all departed in quick succession – as India tightened
their grip on the match.
A stunning late fight back from all-rounder Thisara Perera – 28-ball 44 laced with three fours and a six – was just not enough to see the hosts home, as they fell short of 21 runs at the end of their stipulated 50 overs.
Jayawardene hoped to make a strong comeback in the second bout of the series, to be played at the same Hambantota venue, on Tuesday.
“We'll try to refocus and come back strong. Kulasekara and Lasith are two big guys I rely on during the Powerplays, but we need to improve our standards in the field,” said the home skipper.
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