Rex Clementine in Cape Town
Sri Lanka’s opener Kaushal Silva has urged his team mates to change their mindset while batting in South African conditions.
South Africa six wickets away from series win
South Africa has placed themselves in firm control of the second Test at stumps on day three against Sri Lanka in Cape Town.
After three innings, the Sri Lankans are yet to post a total in excess of 300 here in the series. They finished day three of the second Test on 130 for four after being set a mammoth target of 507, still 377 runs behind.
In both Tests, batsmen have perished attempting attacking strokes and Kaushal felt the approach needed to change.
“I thought most of our guys – given these conditions and the opposition – we need to leave plenty of balls. I know our approach is to attack the bowlers and put pressure on them. That’s what we do back at home. But here, the leave can be a very positive approach to your game,” he said.
Read More: Rabada, Philander and Maharaj destroy hapless Sri Lanka
“Also playing a good defensive stroke here can be showing aggression. We didn’t do that in the first innings. At the moment Chandimal and Angelo have done a decent job and hopefully we can put up a good show tomorrow,” Kaushal added.
When Dhananjaya de Silva was dismissed, Sri Lanka was 69 for four. There was still one hour left in day’s play and given their collapse in the first innings – where they lost eight wickets in 90 minutes – there were concerns whether the game would end in three days.
But captain Angelo Matthews and deputy, Dinesh Chandimal fought back adding an unfinished 61 run stand for fifth wicket. Dhananjaya could have saved himself had he reviewed after being ruled out leg before wicket to Kagiso Rabada as the ball drifted down the leg-side.
He consulted the captain and opted against a review.
“He must have thought that it was hitting. He must have had a chat to Angelo. What I heard from him was that he was unaware that it was going down the leg,” Kaushal explained.
Audio Update:Cricketry – Can Mathews and Chandimal delay the South African win?
Both Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya have been promoted to bat at number three and four respectively but have failed. Kaushal welcomed the move and suggested a patient approach will help them to improve things.
“It’s good that they are coming up front. Dhananjaya and Kusal are natural stroke makers. The application has to be important though. You have to be very patient and select the correct ball to score runs. They are young and hopefully they will learn through their mistakes. It’s all about showing character. It’s tough out there. We all know what we are capable of and we need to give our best and 100 percent and that’s all what we can do” Silva said.
Kaushal only made 29 in the second innings, but more importantly batted for nearly two hours and showed plenty of application. “Initially it was tough with the new ball. I am very disappointed as I had got decent starts in both innings here, but couldn’t capitalize. Today I thought I was dismissed by a good delivery. You can’t really do much about it. It’s part and parcel of the game. Their fast bowlers are not giving many loose balls. They are spot on with their lengths and we have to be more patient and take them to two or three spells and when they get tired we must look to score runs.”
Despite the disappointing effort by the batsmen, Sri Lanka’s bowlers have done a decent job in the game.
“Suranga Lakmal was exceptional today. He is the spearhead of our attack.He has taken 12 wickets so far. Lahiru Kumara bowled well in the first innings. Rangana chipped in and even Nwan Pradeep did a good job,” Kaushal added.
