Lankans must stay positive says manager Fernando
The skipper and his deputy are back to join the stand-in Test skipper and the rest against the Proteas - File pic
Since beating Australia three-nil at home and then comfortably overcoming the Zimbabwe challenge, the young Lankans could no longer be tagged as greenhorns. Earlier they did have the apprentice curve where they lost the series to Pakistan and India at home and against England in England. But, what was evident was that they were seemingly improving after every bout.
Yesterday evening the full blooded Lankan contingent led by skipper Angelo Mathews left the island at 9pm on flight QR 655 for South Africa for a full tour where they will play three Test matches, five ODIs and two T-20 games.
Prior to their departure, the new Lankan cricket manager Ranjith Fernando aired his views on the upcoming assignment. He said, “Though the Zimbabwe proposition could not be termed as a tough one, the Lankan cricketers showed a lot of maturity during these games. They played the game on its merits and more than once bailed out of tight corners. Altogether, the Zimbabwean experience would be held in good stead for the young ones who are visiting South Africa for the first time.”
Fernando said he believed the Proteas would put a lot of emphasis on fast wickets and fast bowling. Probably fast bowler Morne Morkel would be back in action along with Kyle Abbot and Kagiso Rabada though pace ace Dale Steyn is still in the injured list.
The Lankan Cricket Manager added, “I am pretty impressed with our seam attack too. Nuwan Pradeep is a bowler who is constantly improving and so is Suranga Lakmal. Both these bowlers can bowl the reverse swing and that would be useful against the South African batsmen. Dushmantha Chameera could generate a lot of pace and on South African wickets he is sure to make things matter. But the only thing is he is a bit short of match practice after his recent injury. At the same time, I had the opportunity of watching Lahiru Kumara and I think he is a very good fast bowler. As for spin, Rangana Herath is a bowler who could take wickets on any surface – he is a very cleaver bowler, but we would have to use him with a lot of care.
As for the batting, Manager Fernando hopes both skipper Mathews and his deputy Dinesh Chandimal who are coming out of injury would not take time in returning to their own. However, the young brigade of Lankan batsmen have proved that they could rise to the occasion and take responsibility. “This is a good situation to be”.
Fernando said the only area of concern was the fielding. “The young lot is committed. But, commitment alone cannot turn a game around. Once you are on the field, they must make things happen. For that, they must hold on to those catches. As a team coach Graham Ford has wonders in weaving the unit together and they think and act as one unit.”
Fernando said playing South Africa on their own backyard is a tough proposition for any opposition. Besides, their regular captain A.B. De Villiers also could be in action during the series. “Yet, the Lankan should take the challenge positively and go with the notion that we are good enough to beat South Africa on their own terms.”
Team: Angelo Mathews – (Captain), Dinesh Chandimal – (Vice Captain), Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Janith Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Upul Tharanga, Dushmantha Chameera, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Nuwan Pradeep, Vikum Sanjaya Bandara, Rangana Herath and Dilruwan Perera.
