Sanath Jayasuriya answers tough question after Oval win. He was asked to choose between the wins at Oval in 1998 and 2024.
Sanath Jayasuriya, who is currently Sri Lanka’s interim head coach was asked which victory was more sweeter.
Being the wily customer he is, Sanath took the diplomatic path. While agreeing that 1998 will always be memorable, the victory yesterday was achieved in difficult playing conditions.
He was extremely complimentary of the fast bowlers in particular as the coach who led Sri Lanka to their subsequent victory at the same location.
“About 27 years ago we won here under Arjuna [Ranatunga]. Murali [Muthiah Muralidaran] got about 16 wickets, I got a double-hundred, Aravinda [de Silva] got a 150.” “It’s a place we’ll never forget – The Oval.
“But these guys played in different conditions altogether. It was tough conditions, with the grass, the weather, and everything was cloudy and cold. All credit to these boys. The fielders fielded well and the batsmen took responsibility in the second innings.”
Sri Lanka’s quartet of quicks were the primary architects of the victory, sharing 18 wickets between them.
“It’s the first time we went with four fast bowlers, and we went with that because of the conditions. And all of hem went beyond 100% in their efforts.
“It’s a joy to talk about them. Our second-innings bowling was remarkable. They stuck to the plan and got them out in under 35 overs.”
“The attitude Lahiru Kumara brought to the middle is what I expected.
“That’s how we need to play cricket. He bowled an excellent line and length.”
“Asitha Fernando was outstanding right through the series. Rathnayake was really good as a newcomer.
The way he bowled in the second innings is absolutely what we wanted.”
Pathum Nissanka and Kamindu Mendis both hit Sri Lanka’s lone hundreds during the series. At The Oval, Nissanka was particularly aggressive, sweeping to 64 off 51 in the opening over and then top-scoring with 127 to lead Sri Lanka’s chase.
“Pathum couldn’t play Tests for a few years because of injuries, but he’s been doing well in T20s and one-dayers, ” Jayasuriya said. “He played his natural game here, and I love to see him doing that. Even the non-strikers can play their natural game when Pathum plays like that. It’s good to see him play good cricket in all three versions.”
“We shouldn’t forget Kamindu Mendis and his innings right through the series. In pressure situations he he batted like an experienced player.”
Rathnayake, who made his Test debut in the opening match, claimed ten wickets during the series while scoring runs of 72 and 43 from lower down the order.
“Milan played Sri Lanka A cricket and we knew that he was a good bowler and could bat well. But the world didn’t know he could bat,” Jayasuriya said. “He batted really well and bowled really well right through this Test series. He was a bit stiff in his first Test, but after that he bowled really well and started to relax. We will need a seam-bowling allrounder in the future.”