We are trying to find the right formula – Pothas
View(s):Following Sri Lanka’s 83-run defeat in the first ODI in Dubai against Pakistan, Sri Lanka coach Nic Pothas says they are still trying out the right combination in the shorter format of the game.
“We are trying to find the right formula,” Pothas said after the match. “We know how we want to go about putting 50 overs together. We need to give these guys a certain period of time. Kusal Mendis is a very good player of spin and rotates very well. Lahiru Thirimanne and Dinesh Chandimal are the guys who can play those long innings in ODI cricket for you.
Sri Lanka made several changes to the batting order. Dinesh Chandimal was sent in as number 3 ahead of Kusal Mendis who was shifted to number 5. Lahiru Thirimanne was sent in as number 4 batsman.
“At the moment we are thinking somewhere on those lines. We are in communication with the selectors. The World Cup is going to come quick. Those spots are up for grabs. No one has nailed down a spot. Every position is up for grabs.”, he added.
Commenting on the batting performance, Pothas said, “From a batting point of view, the currency of your batting is runs. If you don’t keep making them, the shop is going to close down at some point. We have to ask the batters to take some responsibility. The top six batters managed 96 between them. That’s not good enough.”
Sri Lanka will play their second ODI in Abu Dhabi on Monday.