Sports

Sports

Ponting tells Lankans to pull up their 'socks'

Marlon Fernandopulle reporting from
Dambulla
Australian captain Ricky Ponting warned that Sri Lanka will have to pull up their socks`and raise`their game if they are to compete with the reigning World one day Champions in the current five match one day series.

Ponting made these remarks after his team completely outplayed Sri Lanka on Friday and as they prepared to face the host nation in the second one dayer at the same venue today in a day game.

"We have given the Lankans something to think about on Friday night. The guys will have to improve a lot if they are to compete with us. "Looking forward to the second game the Australian skipper said, "We hope to do the same things we did the other day. It was a fine effort by our boys and I just hope they will continue in the same vein". Ponting was delighted that his team went one up in the five match series. "It is always good and very important to win the first game in a one day series. That's the start that I look forward to".
Meanwhile Sri Lanka captain Marvan Atapattu attributed his teams loss to the two run-outs that started off the innings. "It was a shocking start for us. Considering the fact that we were chasing a total in excess of 250 and both these batsmen who sacrificed their wickets were capable of giving us good starts."

Looking forward to today's game Atapattu said, "We must minimize the mistakes we did on Friday. You can't give away anything against the Aussies. We must be at our best if we are to compete against them".

Sri Lanka who bowled only six overs with the medium pacers may opt to play just one medium pacer in today's game. "That is one option that we are thinking. However a final decision has still not been taken in this regard". After Sri Lanka lost their last six wickets for just 31 runs the team selectors will be in a spot whether to play an additional batsman or spinner.

Top