Sri Lanka’s former skipper Suranga Lakmal hopes injured Lasith Embuldeniya will come out and bat if the situation demands with the second Test going to the wire here in Port Elizabeth. Embuldeniya has been ruled out for at least six weeks with a dislocated thumb. He was discharged from the hospital yesterday morning after surgery on Thursday night and watched the proceedings from the dressing room.
Embuldeniya’s hand is heavily strapped and holding a bat would be difficult but Lakmal hopes the youngster will show up. Chasing a target of 197, the tourists finished on 60 for two and require a further 137 to become only the third team in the history to win a series in South Africa.
“If I were in that position I will bat. This is history in the making and I am sure Lasith has the same thoughts,” Lakmal, who bowed expertly on Friday told journalists.
His efforts on this tour has been overshadowed by those of Kasun Rajitha and Vishwa Fernando but in South Africa’s second innings the spearhead was the pick of the bowlers finishing with four wickets for 39.
“The two young guys have been superb. When they were taking wickets I had to tighten thing from the other end. Better Sri Lankan sides have come here and failed to bowl South Africa out so cheaply. I bowled well and pleased with the effort but wickets weren’t there. Today I was fortunate to get four wickets.”
“We are lacking three of our premier bowlers and Vishwa came along and did a superb job. So is Kasun Rajitha. They didn’t look like newcomers. They were superb and even gave me some points.”
Lakmal was confident of pulling off a win and sealing the series 2-0. “It will be tough and South Africa won’t give this to us on a platter. We have to give our best and if we are able to put up two good partnerships we are through. South Africa’s bowling is world class and it’s going to be a hard grind.”
Fast bowling coach Rumesh Ratnayake opened up about the team’s mindset at stumps on day two. “Everyone knows what is expected of them. The leadership has said that just go out there and enjoy. I know everyone is of the view that history being made and stuff. That should be in the back of the mind. Everyone has the freedom to back what they need to do at that time.”
