English challenge gets Sri Lanka raring to go after long break having not played since the opening day of the tournament.
Sri Lanka focus on the present as English challenge looms.
Sri Lanka’s gap between their opening and second World Cup matches has been greater than usual. They will play England on Saturday following a nearly two-week break since playing the tournament opener on September 30 due to a wash-out against Australia. Thus, it should come as no surprise that they are a side that wants to return to the centre.
However, they will face England, a team they have only defeated once in 18 WODI attempts. Coach Rumesh Ratnayake, however, doesn’t think it makes sense to obsess over such statistics.
“The last meeting will be tomorrow,” said Ratnayake on the eve of the game. “So those are the things which we will encourage them with just before the match. But in our preparation we talk of the present, and we talk of the present team and where they are and what we can do.
“What our strengths will be against them, and where we are going to bowl – if it is bowling – at a particular batter at what stage. So we have broken it into three stages, that’s just an example. And even in our batting, I think what we want most is patience and discipline.”
“That’s what we lacked maybe against India, not deliberate, but it needs more focus so that it could be established.”
Sri Lanka had plenty of time to reflect on their loss to India before this match. They lost the game after having the hosts reeling at 124 for 6. Nevertheless, they shouldn’t have been unable to pursue a target that was just under 250.
Following the match, captain Chamari Athapaththu was unreserved in her criticism of her team’s faults and in her plea for her batters to take on greater responsibility moving forward. Plans pertaining to their batting have also played a significant role in the lead-up to this match.
“In our batting, the girls are really up to it and wanting to do well,” Ratnayake said. “That’s a huge plus because they know it’s a big stage. Sometimes we need to bring it down and say it’s just another match. But they are excited about this big stage. To capitalise on that, to maximise on that, they need to have runs on the scoreboard. They are aware of that. They are also aware that somebody, at least one or two, should bat till the end.”