Losing the second test was bitterly disappointing. We fought well, especially the bowlers in both innings after India got good starts, but we lost the game in that short session before the luncheon interval on day four. We also failed to capitalize in the first innings when we should have carved out a lead.

Thus the batsmen – including myself – need to shoulder the blame for the second test defeat and we need to respond in this ongoing third and final test. We need to get through the new ball and place a very high value on each wicket, like we did in the first Test. If we can build partnerships then we’ll get a good total and give the bowlers the platform they need.

A moment that we celebrated with Ajantha during this tour

The first day went really well, especially after losing the toss on what was a fantastic batting pitch at the P. Sara Oval. There was not much grass and it was not offering anything for the bowlers. It was therefore a brilliant effort from the bowlers to dismiss India for 249. That has given us a chance to control the game.

We were all pleased for Dhammika Prasad to make such a telling contribution on his first day in Test cricket. It is also a special moment when a new player gets his cap for the first time – Dammika’s first cap was given to him, fittingly, by Chaminda Vaas. He admitted to a few early nerves, which is only natural, but coped really well.

His first few overs were a little wayward as he strived for pace – something that he has plenty of – but he showed his character by not wilting under the pressure and was rewarded with the wicket of Virender Sehwag. That was obviously a huge blow considering Sehwag’s great form in Galle, as well as the rate at which they were scoring. The delivery was a beauty, too.

That wicket dragged us back into the game and from thereon in we bowled excellent. Dammika’s second spell asked plenty of questions and the deliveries that he trapped Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar with were good inswingers. For a bowler making his debut you could not have asked for a better trio of wickets.

While is disappointing that we don’t have proven match-winning fast bowlers like Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando and Farveez Maharoof right now because of injuries, but it is encouraging that we have greater depth in our fast bowling resources than we have had for years. Dhammika is just the latest to show that he has the talent and character to be successful.

Thilan Thushara bowled extremely well in the West Indies and has also performed well in ODI cricket. Nuwan Kulasekera may have been dropped for this Test but he is a very tidy bowler with a good action. I thought he was very unlucky early on in the second Test. Then we still have the likes of Chanaka Welagedera and Sujeewa de Silva, both quality left-armers.

Credit must go to the Fast Bowling Unit and our SLC coaches for nurturing these talented youngsters. While we are blessed now with the two best spinners in the world, we still need quality fast bowlers if we are to compete consistently in all conditions at home and overseas. If we can have a group of six to eight fast bowlers it will give us the depth we need in all forms of the game.

Once again Ajantha (Mendis) was a star for us in the first innings. With 23 wickets in the series thus far, we are all hoping that he takes three more to pass Alec Bedser’s 25-wicket record for a debutante bowler in his first three-match series. That would be a special record for him to break, and I’m sure just the start of many more records falling to him in the future.