Sri Lanka vs. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750: Stuart Law praises Indian bowlers
Stuart Law, the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 assistant coach told reporters after the first day of the third Test that he was confident that his team could reach the 500-run mark and win the third test against India. “If you look at the averages and what has happened in the past, 350-400 is a pretty good score. If we try and bat as long as we can tomorrow, the way we play, who knows, 450 might be. The closer we get 500; it sets up for a good victory,” Law said.
Even though Law was confident in the ability of his players, the coach believed that the contest was still even and anyone could win. Law also mentioned how it was up to the batsmen to win the third test match, “This pitch looks like a more even contest between bat and ball. If you bat well, you score runs, if you bowl well; we have already seen balls flying past the edge to both seamers and spinners. So for me, it's going to be a more of a test for the skills of the batsmen.”
Law stood by Sri Lanka’s decision to bat first. Having won the toss, he said that the key was to remain positive and be confident to bat in conditions favouring the bowlers. The assistance coach expressed that captain Sangakkara agreed with the decision to bat first. However, the coach admitted that they lost important wickets early on but the team management did not regret on the decision to bat first.
Law, who knows the true potential of his team was somewhat disappointed by his team’s performance, saying they had ‘gifted’ Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara’s wickets to the Indian bowlers. “Sangakkara still fells hurt for getting out the way he did. He's in superb touch at the moment. He was destined for another hundred or so it seemed today, till he got out for 75,” Law told reporters. He also mentioned Dilshan and Mahela Jayewardene’s dismissal, referring to them as unlucky.
Law praised the Indian bowlers, saying they were as good as the Sri Lankan batsmen. He said the opposition was evenly matched and India’s star bowlers, Ishant and Mithun, had not disgraced themselves. Stuart Law admired their determined spirit and the way they kept trying. The coach further said that he had not expected such a commitment in a Test match. However, he said the Indian bowlers’ hard work didn’t earn them the rewards as his team maintained their winning performance. The batsmen were motivated by their first win and it showed in their performance.
Law admitted that Galle was a good wicket where a result had been achieved in under just four days. He said the swing, seam and spin had made the match more entertaining with the passage of time. Law said it was good for the batsmen as well, but the SCC was more batsmen friendly, with the bowlers having to work harder because of the surface.
Law was certain that if the Sri Lanka’s attack was similar to the one in Galle, especially with Malinga returning from injury, they would manage just fine. He stressed that it was not about wickets, but the need for Malinga to bring more variation to his bowling. He revealed that Chanaka Welegedara had some problems with his wrist, which had affected the swing on the ball but he was expected to be fine after his sessions with Champaka Ramanayake. He was proud of the balanced attack that Sri Lanka had, saying that they did not rely heavily on spinners or seamers.
Law said that he was confident that his team could repeat their success in the first Test and go on to win the series. “Our guys are playing well. We are a good team and we are tough to beat in Sri Lanka. Once the confidence was high since winning the first Test, our batsmen have revelled in these conditions. With our spin attack, coming towards the end of the Test match in the fourth innings bowling on it, we know they are going to get lot of assistance,” Law said.
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