Salvaging a draw is a huge advantage says Tillakaratne Dilshan – Cricket News Update
Sri Lankan skipper, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 has given his team a psychological advantage over their opponents for the remainder of the Test series.
The Lankan http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Lions-c808 were dismissed on 197 in their first innings and faced a daunting task of saving the match, when the Men In Blue posted 511 on the board (a lead of 314 runs).
However, the team responded fell in their second outing, with former skipper, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KC-Sangakkara-c1779 leading from the front, playing a match-saving knock of 211, which kept the opponents frustrated.
Along with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/HAPW-Jayawardene-c1529, the pair managed to play out most of the fifth day, sharing a valuable stand of 201, with Jayawardene also making a commendable century.
Dilshan was pleased with the heroics of his team and feels that it has given them an edge over their opponents.
"I think it's [the draw] a huge advantage for us," Dilshan said. "We were well behind in the match and we survived, and since this is a long series we have to come out strongly in each match."
Dilshan was also wary of the fact that the batting line-up needs to step and compliment its young bowling attack, which had an uphill task to contain the Men In Blue after they were bundled out for a sub-par total in their first innings.
Since the retirement of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SL-Malinga-c2540, the team has found it difficult to play a stable bowling line-up and has relied on youngsters to deliver the goods.
“We were bowled out for under 200 runs and it was very difficult to come back and win the match. We have to come out strongly in the second Test, especially the first innings, we have to put runs on the board so that this young bowling attack has some confidence
while bowling. We can't ask them to bowl with just 200 runs [behind them],"said the skipper.
All eyes will be on Dilshan, who has yet to find consistency in his batting since taking over the captaincy. However, the Lankan skipper is hopeful of getting some runs in the second Test, which will certainly lift his confidence.
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