Following their defeat in the just-ended Twenty20 International series by India, Sanath Jayasuriya, the interim coach said that Sri Lankan cricketers should focus on developing ‘cricket awareness’.
The three-match rubber saw Sri Lanka lose many wickets and fall short of a 0-3 loss despite being in strong positions.
Jayasuriya’s side was entering into the three-match ODI series against India, when he told “ESPNCricinfo” that: “I don’t think it is lack of commitment but they have to handle pressure better. They need to improve their cricket awareness. We are taking responsibility for it, you can’t get away from that.”
He added, as per Parami News: “As long as they realise that and make sure that we’ll have to keep giving them the confidence and support.”
Jayasuriya encourages batsmen in Sri Lanka not to worry about striking sixes all the time since there are plenty of opportunities for runs through boundaries and twos.
In SL (Sri Lanka), you don’t need much power hitting when talking about power hitting. If you hit enough fours and enough twos you get what you want.
“The grounds in Sri Lanka are a bit bigger so why can’t we hit boundaries or twos or threes? If you can do that then you can get away without hitting too many sixes,” he stated.
This performance also drew criticisms from Aravinda De Silva who had served as the captain of Sri Lanka before him.
“We also have to take the criticism because I’m coaching; my support staff is here and my team is here. I’ve been through this during my playing days; every single cricketer has gone through this. When negative comments come your way, take it,” he said.
Charith Asalanka will be supported by Jayasuriya as newly selected captain to cause an early impact.
“Charith Asalanka is one of our best players in this format. But there is some pressure when you get captaincy. You have got to give him a little time.”
“There are ten more players in the side, and 16 in the squad. We all have to get together and give him confidence. Anytime now, the captain could take off. He’s a guy who puts in a lot of hard work, he’s professional and he communicates well,” he concluded.