IND vs SL 2017, 2nd Test: Thilan Samaraweera Observes Visitors Struggle to Face Spin

Nov 26, 2017 at 9:15 AM

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IND vs SL 2017, 2nd Test: Thilan Samaraweera Observes Visitors Struggle to Face Spin

Former Sri Lanka batsman Thilan Samaraweera, who is now national team’s batting coach, believes the side has been weak in handling and facing the spin bowling since past two years.

“This group in the last two years haven’t batted well against spin,” dejected-looking Samaraweera said in the press conference and was quoted as saying by PTI.

Ravindra Jadeja had troubled Sri Lanka in the first innings of the Nagpur Test. He picked up three wickets. Image Courtesy: BCCI

The 41-year-old Colombo-born Samaraweera stated the management has to work hard in the foreseeable future while taking the current approach of the players into consideration while facing the spin-bowling.

“I have observed that and lot of work for us to do in the future,” Samaraweera maintained.

Interestingly, on a surface like Nagpur which in the past has traditionally helped the spinners, saw the visitors lose seven wickets on day one when the spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja were bowling in tandem.

Earlier, after opting to bat first Lions batsmen faced the heat when they came up against the two premium spinners from the Indian team. Livid Samaraweera admitted the serious problem has further been hampering the side to achieve the desired results.

Suranga Lakmal possessed threat to the Indian bowlers in the first Test but was kept silent in the second game in Nagpur. Image Courtesy: BCCI

“It’s disappointing that we won the toss on a superb pitch where there was no seam movement and no turn but couldn’t bat well. We had so many soft dismissals,” Samaraweera added.

In the recent past even after winning the two-match Test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) last month (October), Lions batsmen had no clue whatsoever against spin-bowling attack.

Samaraweera, who was appointed as a batting coach before the series against India, further reiterated the players who came from Lanka are traditionally bound to be good against spin bowling, but last 24 months have witnessed a drastic change with batsmen perishing while facing the slow bowlers.

“Not playing spin well is a major concern for me. Traditionally we have been good players of spin bowling,” Samaraweera explained.

However, Samaraweera remarked the major overhauling would take around five months owing to the progress. Samaraweera added during the tour; things are pretty difficult to sort out after the pressing issue of struggling against spinners has come into the spotlight.

“I can’t give a time frame when we can rectify. I need about four or five months to identify things,” Samaraweera concluded.

While lashing out at his players, Samaraweera believes he should take care of the 22-year-old Sadeera Samarawickrama while stating they have to give their best against world-ranked number one Test side.

Even in the bowling, as experienced campaigner Rangana Herath kept run-rate under control, the off-spinner Dilruwan Perera on the other end conceded 117 runs in 21 overs which reflect how expensive he has been with the red-ball.

However, at stumps on day three, India was in command with the first innings lead of 107. The hosts finished the day with 312 for two in 98 overs. The top-order batsman Cheteshwar Pujara was batting on 121 off 284 balls, as skipper Virat Kohli registered 54 off 70 balls.

Also Read: (Former India Manager Lal Chand Rajput Says MS Dhoni Is Still Irreplaceable)

(Upul Tharanga’s Captaincy in Jeopardy Ahead of Limited Overs Series Against India)

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