Fielding Coach – Ramakrishnan Sridhar | Sri Lanka Pre-Match Press Conference | 7 Key Q&As
1. How about the confidence on the team after winning the first three matches and then losing to Zimbabwe?
“I mean the team, they know what is required from them at this stage and like all good teams do it’s very important to reflect, learn and move on whether you had good game or whether you had a loss. It is important for the team to move on and focus on what they need to do for the next game.
Yes, the team is happy about qualifying for the Super 8s, but at the same time we need to know that we need to keep doing things that we’ve been doing well, keep doing the process that we’ve been doing well… The mood in the camp is good.”
2. Any discussions about the fielding after the Zimbabwe game?
“I think that was a good lesson. I think there could have been a little bit of complacency after the score we put up on the board on that pitch. But that was again a fantastic lesson to learn.
Yes, we were below par in terms of fielding inside the inner ring. That is something which has been spoken about already… We’ll have to look at the strategies we adapt as a fielding team on this outfield.”
3. Any idea about team composition for tomorrow’s game?
“Like all good teams do, we need to have consistency in the team. We haven’t spoken about the final playing XI yet. We are going to have a look at the pitch right just now so we’ll probably have a discussion, but the thought would be to be as consistent as possible so that the players feel secure and there’s psychological safety.”
4. How does the bowling dynamic change without Wanindu Hasaranga and Matheesha Pathirana?
“Wanindu… everyone knows the quality what Wanindu Hasaranga has got as a bowler, as an all-rounder and what he can offer to the team. Obviously his injury… that’s a loss and big shoes to fill.
With regards to Pathirana, everybody knows how lethal he is with his pace and variations. So that’s also another big loss.
We can only play with the cards we are dealt with. That is what we have at the moment. I really back them to come good under crucial present moments.”
5. Does England’s 3-0 win give them a mental edge?
“At this stage of this tournament, it’s a lot different from what a bilateral series is. When you’re playing a Super 8 game, you will not play with the same freedom as you would do in a bilateral or a private league.
The pressure will be same for both teams. The teams which do the things correctly under pressure, the teams which make lesser mistakes is the team that is likely to go through.”
6. Will spin dominate in Sri Lankan conditions?
“Considering the fact that we are playing in the subcontinent… I think how the paces bowl in this game will be the differentiator because both teams spin will bowl well.
Everything is inexact in our sport… It’s all about clarity and doing the basics well.”
7. What stood out about Pathum Nissanka’s catch?
“Firstly, it’s impossible to talk to Pathum. He doesn’t talk much.
I think what stood out in that catch was the anticipation — he saw what Maxwell was going to do pretty early and got into a position from where he could attempt that catch. So that itself is a win, irrespective of whether he caught it or not.
Him catching it was probably icing on the cake… it lit up the tournament. And to cap it up with 100 makes it even more special.
Full marks and more to Pathum Nissanka.”
