Jayasuriya's pat for Indian openers

Rex Clementine

August 14, 2001

Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya was happy about the way things went for his side on the first day of the first Test match at the Galle International cricket stadium on Tuesday,

"I am happy about the way things went for us. If you look at the score board at the end of the day we have sent back the cream of the Indian batting back to the pavilion without very much on the board," said Jayasuriya.

The Sri Lankan captain this morning having won the toss, put the opposition in said he was happy about his decision at the end of the first day, "There was a lot of grass on the wicket and any captain who wins the toss would have had no hesitation to put the opposition in. I am happy that finally we picked up five wickets." remarked Jayasuriya.

The Sri Lankan captain didn't manage to get any wickets in the morning session and he gave credit to the Indian openers for playing watchfully, "You have to give credit for the manner in which the Indian batsmen played. They put their heads down and played watchfully. The bowlers too kept things tight for them. But I knew if we got two or three wickets we can end up the day in top."

Jayasuriya took the new ball only in the 82nd over of the match and that brought immediate success as Dilhara Fernando struck with two crucial blows. When asked as to why he didn't take the new ball a bit earlier, Jayasuriya said, "Murali was bowling well. I knew I could take the new ball. But I thought I ought to give Murali a longer spell. But when I decided to take the new ball we got two wickets."

Sri Lanka's fielding was not exactly top class today as they missed a few close chances. Talking about the fielding lapses, Jayasuriya said, "We missed a few catches. Rahul Dravid could have been a bad lapse. But luckily we got rid of him before long. Those players don't give that many chances. We have to be more alert in the field."

The Sri Lankan batsmen have not been doing well in Test matches but Jayasuriya is confident that things can improve, "Yes, we have not been doing well, but I hope that this time around we can change things. We have been batting well lately. The batting came up good in the Coca Cola Cup final so we are in good nick."

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