KANDY (Reuters)
Sri Lankan skipper Sanath Jayasuriya said his team lost the second Test against India because of poor batting in the second innings. The hosts, who won the first Test in Galle by 10 wickets, held a 42-run first innings lead but were skittled for 221 in the second innings. That score would have been even lower but for tailender Muttiah Muralitharan who hit his top Test score of 67 in a 64-run last wicket stand. "We lost too many wickets on the third day morning," said Jayasuriya. "All were senior batsmen and in good nick. The Indians really bowled disciplined line and length." Jayasuriya refused to blame the Asgiriya stadium after his team's third consecutive defeat at the venue where Sri Lanka have lost seven of their 11 Tests. "We can't complain about this venue because we did not play well. Batsmen can't get out for 30s and 40s."

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