“Asitha bowled line within the first couple of overs, however after that, they scored a couple of runs off Dilshan [Madushanka],” Kusal stated after the sport.
Throughout the interval when New Zealand’s openers had been attacking, Sri Lanka needed to cope with a moist ball and a moist outfield, and a a lot skiddier floor, courtesy heavy rain throughout a protracted innings break. They may have been fearing the worst when nearing the midway level of the innings.
“After we had been batting, there did not actually appear to be a lot problem for the bowlers; there was no dew or drizzle to cope with,” Kusal stated. “However we have to give credit score to our bowlers. After the rain, with the dew, the ball will get fairly moist. So I feel the ball got here on to the bat higher for them [New Zealand] on the wicket, than it did for us.”
It was the dependable Theekshana, although, who finally supplied the breakthrough, with a double-strike within the 14th over to take away each openers. This left New Zealand having to begin over once more, and gave Sri Lanka the opening that they had been in search of to show the screws.
“Our plan was to maintain the runs down at the least, even when wickets weren’t coming,” Kusal stated. “The concept was to verify the required run fee stored rising, and to construct that strain.”
“Truthfully, he is bowling fairly properly,” Kusal stated of his captain’s bowling exploits. “He has bowled a good bit since his time with the Below-19s. However after he got here to the nationwide group, you’ll have 5 frontline bowlers often. So it would not be as widespread to make use of a part-time bowler.”
Asalanka has bowled in every of Sri Lanka’s final 9 ODIs, selecting up 9 wickets within the course of. Most of his success nonetheless has come on beneficial residence surfaces, significantly within the sequence earlier this yr towards India on a Khettarama turner.
His efforts on Wednesday, although, had been the primary in situations that may not have been as best for spin bowling, and it speaks in the direction of Sri Lanka’s rising confidence in Asalanka, the bowler – one thing highlighted even additional by the truth that in a number of of Sri Lanka’s latest ODIs, they’ve opted to go along with simply 4 frontline bowlers.
“It was solely as a result of Charith had bowled so properly in earlier excursions that we determined to go along with simply 4 [frontline] bowlers [against New Zealand],” Kusal stated. “He understands what’s wanted of him when bowling, and adjusts relying on the batter. At the same time as a captain, he reads lots of issues properly. Even throughout follow, we ask him to bowl extra, in order that he could be prepared when wanted.”
The long-term feasibility of such a plan is questionable, significantly with real batting allrounders in Dunith Wellalage and Chamindu Wickramasinghe discovering themselves out of the XI. Whereas Wellalage gives higher bowling – and may also work on his batting – Wickramasinghe can properly clear the ropes aside from being a extra helpful seam possibility than Liyanage.
Additionally, by opting to play two part-time bowlers in Kamindu and Liyanage – the captain Asalanka stays a sure starter aside from harm or relaxation – Sri Lanka additionally rule out possibility of getting a frontline fifth bowler. Nevertheless, in the intervening time, they appear content material with trialing out their present mixture.
“Janith, Charith and Mendis – all three are bowling properly,” Kamindu stated. “In these type of situations, when the ball is tougher to grip, then you definitely want a seam bowler, which is what Janith is there for. The opposite two are there if it is a spinning wicket. Kamindu Mendis can bowl with each fingers.
“Truthfully, they do the job when required. Typically, if the situations change, we are able to see if we have to herald a real quick bowler or spinner.”
