Sri Lanka give away too many extras

Sa'adi Thawfeeq

30 July 1998


Sri Lanka manager Ranjit Fernando showed concern at the alarming number of extras his bowlers were conceding and said that coach Roy Dias was working hard on it ahead of the one-day triangular against England and South Africa commencing on August 14.

Sri Lanka conceded a record 65 extras in the 4-day game against Leicestershire which they went onto win by nine wickets on Monday.

``Certain people had apprehensions that we could win only in the sub-continent. But this win goes to dispel those doubts. We have proved that even in totally different conditions as experienced here against very good seam and swing bowlers, we are capable of winning,'' said Fernando after the win over Worcestershire.

He said the team management were working hard towards making Chandika Hathurusingha a bowling all-rounder. Hathurusingha, a former opening batsman for his country has been swinging the ball so much in helpful conditions that, according to Fernando, he was unable to control the swing in the game against Worcestershire that he ended up bowling eight wides.

Fernando showed much concern about Sri Lanka's new-ball bowlers Suresh Perera and Ravindra Pushpakumara, who have not bowled to their potential.

``We are closely in touch with Colombo on the progress Chaminda Vaas is making against South Africa 'A'. We would dearly like to have him here,'' said Fernando. The indications are that Vaas is likely to make it to England prior to the triangular one-day tournament.


Source: The Daily News

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Date-stamped : 30 Jul1998 - 10:16