Sri Lankan fans - How angry are you?

[Markhor]

Moving away from Pakistan's celebrations - Sri Lanka fans must be fuming right now ?

In Galle, Pakistan were 96-5 after Sri Lanka put up 300 in tricky conditions after being sent into bat, yet thanks to the heroics of Shafiq, Sarfraz and the tail we got 417. Sri Lanka collapse meekly for 206 - some dreadful shots charging down the wicket against the spinners led to wickets being needlessly lost. Vithanage tries a silly slog sweep and gets out. Yasir Shah bowled well but some of the wickets were gifted to him. Pakistan saunter to victory in the run chase going at around 9 an over.

Galle is a stronghold for Sri Lankan spin bowling. Herath has 61 wickets there. Yet Sri Lanka's front-line spinners returned 5 for 221 in that first innings despite the ball turning from Day 1. At PSS Colombo its an emphatic win for Sri Lanka - surely in home conditions Sri Lanka will see out the series after a bad start ? Wrong.

We go to Pallekele and credit to the SL seamers. They aren't world class but they stuck to a good line and length, were disciplined and Pakistan's batsmen played poorly. Sri Lanka have a 1st innings lead and seemingly bat Pakistan out of the match ? Wrong.

Sri Lanka fail to defend 377 on a Day 4/5 track that granted didn't offer the assistance and uneven bounce to be expected of a subcontinental pitch at this stage of a Test, but Kaushal bowled dreadfully. So many long hops and full tosses that allowed Masood and Younis to settle and accumulate runs. SL's bowlers looked toothless. Mathews didn't have an answer.

For the Sri Lankan sides of the past, with the likes of Murali and Vaas, not being able to defend 377 in the 4th innings of a home Test would've been unthinkable. Yet this has come on the back of last year's Sharjah defeat where Sri Lanka again failed to defend a 300+ score.

Mathews said himself he's been virtually on his knees begging Kumar Sangakkara not to retire for another year. Without the brilliant duo of Sanga and Jayawardene, with Rangana Herath not effective at all in this series and a weak looking batting lineup, tricky times seem to be ahead for Sri Lanka. The contract of Marvan Atapattu, ends next year but there is an exit clause in September. While he is highly regarded as a technical coach, he is not quite so well respected as a man manager and Graham Ford has been linked with a return.

SL fans - after a mauling in NZ, a disappointing World Cup exit and now this home series defeat - are the positions of Angelo Mathews as captain and Marvan Atapattu as coach under threat ?

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Step 1 - Remove Mathews from captaincy. He is beyond dreadful. He is a clutch test bat and let him focus on that (I know he averages more as captain but SL need to say thanks but no thanks).

Step 2 - SC pitches need 2 spinners at the minimum. @Thivaagar was right. I think Herath has declined but he still would have bowled better than Kaushal when spin was offer.

Step 3 - Leave Sanga. Even if he comes back, its not going to solve any problems. Better to tackle this situation now rather than depending on Sanga. Let's put it this way...even if Sanga was playing in this test, SL was going to lose it as they were anyway going to declare at 400-425 lead (max to max - rain threat was also there) which Pakistan would have chased down.

I commented about a factor even before this test. Even when SL won the 2nd test, I felt Pakistan played better barring the 1st innings collapse. The problem with SL is that they are convincing right now. So this loss is actually good for them in the long run. if they had won this series, they would have thought all is well when its not. Pakistan too has hidden issues but that's a topic for another thread.

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

They lost but they have plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the future.

Chameera, Pradeep, Eranga, Prasad and Lakmal.

That is the base of a good pace battery. Forget the spinners, build a team on that and win overseas.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

They lost but they have plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the future.

Chameera, Pradeep, Eranga, Prasad and Lakmal.

That is the base of a good pace battery. Forget the spinners, build a team on that and win overseas.

And they will keep losing at home and Asia if they forget spinners.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

The problem with SL is that they are convincing right now.

*They are not

 

[cricketindiafan]

SL will have their chance vs us, two ordinary test sides.

Pakistan with the experience of Younis and Misbah were always a better side and a series win by SL would have counted as an upset

 

[Markhor]

Step 1 - Remove Mathews from captaincy. He is beyond dreadful. He is a clutch test bat and let him focus on that (I know he averages more as captain but SL need to say thanks but no thanks).

Is Mathews's defensive captaincy though down to him thinking he hasn't got the bowlers to do the job ?

 

[adarsh_bang]

SL will have their chance vs us, two ordinary test sides.

Pakistan with the experience of Younis and Misbah were always a better side and a series win by SL would have counted as an upset

This. You will see the same side being much more competitive against us. Although i hope for a test win with kohli leading the side.
But, pretty sure this side is better than 2-1 suggests.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Is Mathews's defensive captaincy though down to him thinking he hasn't got the bowlers to do the job ?

Not in his case. His captaincy goes beyond bad bowling.

His field placing is a joke most of the times. He opens up the field and gives away easy singles.

For example - Had a long on and long off for Azhar and Shehzd in 2nd test against Herath when both of them were struggling against him. They just walked down the pitch, covered the line, tapped and ran singles thus releasing all pressure.

 

[Timewaster]

I am disapointed Sangakarra didnt play when his country needed him, instead he plays county cricket? doesnt make sense

 

[Deosai]

Sri Lankans are cool people, they probably don't give a *****, already sipping some coconut juice right now

 

[PCP_1]

No cake for a month.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

This. You will see the same side being much more competitive against us. Although i hope for a test win with kohli leading the side.
But, pretty sure this side is better than 2-1 suggests.

SL will have their chance vs us, two ordinary test sides.

Pakistan with the experience of Younis and Misbah were always a better side and a series win by SL would have counted as an upset

I think of it the other way round. 2-1 for Pakistan flatters SL who have been worse than what the stats say. This is our best chance for series win in SL. They are at their weakest point after a long time.

But my fear is that we might play Bhajji as the 2nd spinner. And Rohit in our lineup is a worry too. Dhawan will be boom or bust with his batting style.

 

[PCP_1]

I think of it the other way round. 2-1 for Pakistan flatters SL who have been worse than what the stats say. This is our best chance for series win in SL. They are at their weakest point after a long time.

But my fear is that we might play Bhajji as the 2nd spinner. And Rohit in our lineup is a worry too. Dhawan will be boom or bust with his batting style.

Great. Whenever we win against a decent opposition, they are labeled weak or going through a phase, etc. I wonder how people would have said if we had lost the series.

 

[#GreenRoars]

To be honest they should change their captain. Mathews is way way defensive captain

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Great. Whenever we win against a decent opposition, they are labeled weak or going through a phase, etc. I wonder how people would have said if we had lost the series.

As expected.

No Sanga, Mahela, declined Herath, misfiring spinner - And if someone calls SL a weaker side, that's denying Pakistan the credit?



Do see my posts EVEN BEFORE this test even happened. Even when SL won the 2nd test, I said Pakistan played better than them in the series barring that collapse in first innings 2nd test.

As of now, Pakistan is better than India in tests.

Now chill bro.

We may possible not do well against SL in SL. Nothing is a guarantee. Our SL and SA series should tell us where we stand.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

[MENTION=139087]PCP_1[/MENTION] Weren't you the one saying in the other thread Bangaldesh is the best ODI side in Asia right now based on 1 series win against India.



What about that?

 

[Syed1]

This sort of decline happens when your major players retire/regress..

 

[adarsh_bang]

To be honest they should change their captain. Mathews is way way defensive captain

Mathews is the best they have got. Give him time, he will get better.
Besides, he is the only guaranteed starter in the playing eleven.
No on else is guaranteed a spot.

 

[cricketindiafan]

To be honest they should change their captain. Mathews is way way defensive captain

They do not have an alternative. Everyone else in the team is too inexperienced and not even settled in the test side

 

[Pakcricket89]

SL will have their chance vs us, two ordinary test sides.

Pakistan with the experience of Younis and Misbah were always a better side and a series win by SL would have counted as an upset

No chance bro, India will eat SL alive for breakfast InshaAllah

 

[Amjid Javed]

Sri lanka did well to compere in all 3 tests with an overall pretty inexperienced team, they need to get a more decisive skipper as matthews is just a poor captain. Also losing the experience of mahela and sanga (Last test) is huge hole to fill. Pakistan would have struggled just as much without YK and Misbah not being around the team set up.

 

[PCP_1]

[MENTION=139087]PCP_1[/MENTION] Weren't you the one saying in the other thread Bangaldesh is the best ODI side in Asia right now based on 1 series win against India.



What about that?

Well it was consecutive wins over Ind AND Pak and yes I do maintain that claim.
If Pakistan beat Sri Lanka convincingly in the ODIs then I think on current form, BD are the bees knees in Asian ODI cricket at the moment.

Although given their current T20s performance, I think they're returning to their old and expected ways and the current purple patch was probably just a reaction to an overdose of Fruito juice and Dan cakes.

Anyway lets see how the ODIs go.

 

[Master Leo]

No mate, we aren't angry, just a bit
disappointed. The bowlers showed their true colors in the worst possible time. Guess dismissing Pak for 138 and 215 was more down to bad batting and helpful conditions than great bowling. Expected something more from tharindu kaushal. Thought he was one of those bowlers with the x factor, for whom the pitch and conditions do not matter. But his returns of 1/150 suggests otherwise

 

[Pantani]

This series should have been won. Sri Lanka have developed an inability to close out games. The team lacks the consistency to win five days in a row, winning two or three days and losing the other two.

 

[Boi]

I shudder to think of what the scenes on here would have been if we had been on the receiving end of such a loss.

 

[Statsman]

I'd be pretty disappointed today if I was a Lankan fan. Losing 2 games (and eventually the series) from somewhat commending positions demoralizes the team and fans. Been through the ordeal during SA and NZ series (both lost due to unexpected failures in 1 or 2 sessions) and even a test in Australia. Believe me, it pains.

 

[Madplayer]

As expected.

No Sanga, Mahela, declined Herath, misfiring spinner - And if someone calls SL a weaker side, that's denying Pakistan the credit?



Do see my posts EVEN BEFORE this test even happened. Even when SL won the 2nd test, I said Pakistan played better than them in the series barring that collapse in first innings 2nd test.

As of now, Pakistan is better than India in tests.

Now chill bro.

We may possible not do well against SL in SL. Nothing is a guarantee. Our SL and SA series should tell us where we stand.

Sanga played 2 tests and was a non-factor. Didnt do much at all. Cant say herath has declined on the basis of one series.

 

[Pantani]

As for Mathews, he is a good leader and he sets a good example. But he is really deficient tactically. The coach should take over the tactical aspect and Angelo should focus solely on leadership.

 

[shah_1]

Sri Lanka fast bowling is awful, they bowled too short.

 

[KevinFern]

I think of it the other way round. 2-1 for Pakistan flatters SL who have been worse than what the stats say. This is our best chance for series win in SL. They are at their weakest point after a long time.

But my fear is that we might play Bhajji as the 2nd spinner. And Rohit in our lineup is a worry too. Dhawan will be boom or bust with his batting style.

If Shan Masood can do it, why can't Dhawan...u see?

Sent from my XT1022 using Tapatalk

 

[11ShadyBrothers]

Mathews is the best they have got. Give him time, he will get better.
Besides, he is the only guaranteed starter in the playing eleven.
No on else is guaranteed a spot.

Exactly. No need to remove mathews. He is a very good player and maturity in captaincy only comes with time. People are forgetting his exploits with the team in england. In their frigging home ground. So again people are going OTT asking for his resignation.

 

[11ShadyBrothers]

This series should have been won. Sri Lanka have developed an inability to close out games. The team lacks the consistency to win five days in a row, winning two or three days and losing the other two.

Agreed. Luck factor did come into play. No one expected pak to win the third test. Even in the first one we pulled out the win from nothing.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

If Shan Masood can do it, why can't Dhawan...u see?

Sent from my XT1022 using Tapatalk

Hence hit or miss.

Dhawan can't play swing or spin but can score fast if he survives.

 

[Markhor]

I shudder to think of what the scenes on here would have been if we had been on the receiving end of such a loss.

I can imagine the thread titles:

"RIP Pakistan Cricket"
"We are worse than Nepal"
"Misbah should be nailed to a post outside PCB HQ so we can all throw rotten tomatoes at him"
"You bunch of losers"

Mamoon would've had a field day.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Sri Lanka fast bowling is awful, they bowled too short.

I think the difference between the two sides was Yasir Shah. Even when our fast bowlers were struggling we could toss the ball to him and he would take wickets.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Sanga played 2 tests and was a non-factor. Didnt do much at all. Cant say herath has declined on the basis of one series.

Even if Sanga was there in this test, Pak would have won cos SL would have set a target of 400 and Pak would have chased it. Said that in my first post of this thread.

I was asked why I said SL called lineup weak (while talking about our tour) and I gave my reasoning.

Do see the context of my reply bro. Pak may have won even if all the others were there but that's besides the point.

As for Herath...he wasn't bowling all over the place like Kaushal. He was accurate but toothless on a spin track (usually a sign of decline). So let's see how he goes in the future.

 

[SL_Fan]

Quite used to it now tbh Since Mathews has taken over this has been a regular occurrence for us especially in Tests. Third Test in UAE, second Test in Eng, second Test against SA, second Test in NZ, 1st Test this series and now this one. All this during the last one and a half years. He just waits for things to happen all the time and lets teams off the hook. It doesn't help when you have Marvan as the head coach either. Blind leading the blind.

 

[Enforcer]

Sanga played 2 tests and was a non-factor. Didnt do much at all. Cant say herath has declined on the basis of one series.

Same thing can also be said about younis, who failed in the first 2 tests, but produced a gem of an innings at the end. You can't label a top class batsman like sanga as 'non-factor'.

I believe that pakistan is the best asian test side as of now, no issue on that. But they won against a pretty mediocre srilankan side.

 

[IndianWillow]

SL is going through a major transition. This is hardly surprising against a test team like Pakistan. What was a bit surprising this time was this. Pakistan usually knows how to close out low scoring bowling shootouts, but this time they won it with both bat and ball.

 

[Buffet]

Mathews shouldn't captain at all. It's not about winning or losing. This dude is one of the worst captain I have seen.

 

[The_KING]

Matthews is a terrible captain. His field setting was a joke. He pushed his fielders to the boundaries making it easy for our batsmen to take singles.

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

And they will keep losing at home and Asia if they forget spinners.

They have Herath and Kaushal.

That base is pretty much covered. I probably did not put my thoughts with clarity.

What I really meant is that they should build the team around fast bowlers and stop focusing on spinners.

For the first time after Vaas, they have fast bowlers who have the potential to do well in all conditions.

 

[aloo paratha]

Bringing back Sangakara is not a good thing. He'l have to retire someday and will probably only stay about 6 months. The real problem with Sri Lanka was their middle order. Their batsmen like Vithanage, Thiramanne, Mubarak etc kept throwing their wickets away. They came scored 20 at a nice rate but then just played a shot they didn't need to by losing concentration. Only because of Mattews they've gotten higher scores or else they would have gone down like us.

 

[Saqs]

Bringing back Sangakara is not a good thing. He'l have to retire someday and will probably only stay about 6 months. The real problem with Sri Lanka was their middle order. Their batsmen like Vithanage, Thiramanne, Mubarak etc kept throwing their wickets away. They came scored 20 at a nice rate but then just played a shot they didn't need to by losing concentration. Only because of Mattews they've gotten higher scores or else they would have gone down like us.

This. Lankan batsmen shot selection throughout the series was unbelievably poor.

 

[Big Mac]

That Vithanage reverse sweep was the best thing all series.

 

[Saj]

Sangakkara and Mahela are huge boots to fill.

I guess if either one of the aforementioned had been playing then Pakistan may have been batted out of the game. There's some quality amongst the Sri Lankan batsmen but not a lot of experience and class.

 

[ads101]

This series should have been won. Sri Lanka have developed an inability to close out games. The team lacks the consistency to win five days in a row, winning two or three days and losing the other two.

I think this should be true for all captains. Countries pay a coach a lot of money to handle this sort of thing. The captain already has to worry about his own performance.

I'd replace Matthews if there's a better candidate but what better options do Sri Lanka have? No one's experienced except for Matthews and Herath (whom the latter I'm not sure has much captaincy experience and will have retire in a few years anyways). Chandimal maybe but don't think he's ready yet, give him a couple more years.

 

[Thivagar]

Not really mad lol. Actually surprised with how our pacers bowled. SL Test team is a flop, so it wasn't a surprise. Mathews is not a good captain, Herath should have bowled. Not sure if it was the pitch or SL pacers but fast bowling was pleasing to see. This is a rebuilding process so can't expect much from this squad. Pakistan batsmen also batted well, Yasir Shah was doing a Warnie of 2005 lol.

 

[Stallion__]

Which captain place long-off, long-on and deep mid-wicket while defending 370+ in 4th innings after being struck by only one boundary?

Captaincy has few aspects

-) Luck

-) Personal Performance

-) Man Management

-) On-field tactics


A good captain ticks all 4 of those.

Not sure about luck, but Matthews is a good man-manager and quality performer.

But fails completely on tactics front.

 

[aloo paratha]

This. Lankan batsmen shot selection throughout the series was unbelievably poor.

Yes Sri Lankans did lack proper shot selection. If their runs were stopped for a few balls they would get pressured and play a false shot. That's why Yasir was so good, he stopped the batsmens runs then the batsmen served up their wickets to them.

 

[Thivagar]

Yes Sri Lankans did lack proper shot selection. If their runs were stopped for a few balls they would get pressured and play a false shot. That's why Yasir was so good, he stopped the batsmens runs then the batsmen served up their wickets to them.

The thing about good leg spinners is that you'll know exactly where the ball will land, it is all about how it arrives that matters. For awhile cricket lacked leggies, now it is almost a requirement.

 

[Haroon786]

Another major factor was that our batsmen didn't roll over to Herath this time.

 

[Saqs]

Another major factor was that our batsmen didn't roll over to Herath this time.

Yeah. Clear plan against him and it worked wonders. Won't be surprised if other countries start adopting this approach.

 

[Haroon786]

Yeah. Clear plan against him and it worked wonders. Won't be surprised if other countries start adopting this approach.

I think he's done as the wicket taker he was, he won't be able to regain his penetrative ability but he will still be able to tie up an end and keep the scoring rate down.

 

[Markhor]

Sri Lanka fans - again is Mathews's decision making costing the team ?

Malinga does not look fully fit. Prasanna was very poor with his control yet bowled 9 overs conceding 72, surely he should have been hauled off much earlier ?

Surely he could have bowled himself and Suranga Lakmal more ? It seemed that Pakistan's batsmen were not under any real pressure at any stage of the run chase.

 

[Logical]

Not many SL ppers around these days.

More i watch Sri Lanka, more im convinced that Matthews is not a captain. He was actually groomed for a while under Mahela/Sanga yet he lacks basic leadership qualities. It's not just his captaincy though, their attack besides Pradeep lacks any venom and will struggle to pick 20 wickets most of the time.

 

[Thivagar]

Only got to see few mins of Mathews/Chandimal bat, it clearly looks like SL didn't choose the right bowlers. Seekuge should have been a second spinner instead he was playing as the main spinner and a debutant all rounder was made the second spinner . With the new rule change I couldn't tell whether SL had set up a low par or Pakistan had batted well. But again Pakistan barely go past 250 so that tells a lot about this bowling line up .

 

[as-95]

Only got to see few mins of Mathews/Chandimal bat, it clearly looks like SL didn't choose the right bowlers. Seekuge should have been a second spinner instead he was playing as the main spinner and a debutant all rounder was made the second spinner . With the new rule change I couldn't tell whether SL had set up a low par or Pakistan had batted well. But again Pakistan barely go past 250 so that tells a lot about this bowling line up .

Although the Sri Lankan bowling was average, credit must also be given to the Pakistani batsmen. Ther were superb and chased down the total with ease. We are seeing a change of fortune in the batting department so you will see more of this "going past 250" that you seem to not see when Pakistan are playing... I cant say the same about your batting after Sanga/Mahela and Dilshan also soon to retire.

 

[Cricfan4eva]

Why didn't Matthews bowl more?

 

[marlonbrowndo]

more importantly look at the scorecard. Lamkmal only bowled 5 overs!

 

[SL_Fan]

So they went in with just one and a half frontline bowlers eh (the half being Malinga who looks to be pregnant with twins or something). Marvan logic at it's best. It has now gone from 3 to 2 to just over 1 since he took over. Maybe no frontline bowlers next match. Wouldn't be too surprised if that actually happens tbh

 

[Master Leo]

So they went in with just one and a half frontline bowlers eh (the half being Malinga who looks to be pregnant with twins or something). Marvan logic at it's best. It has now gone from 3 to 2 to just over 1 since he took over. Maybe no frontline bowlers next match. Wouldn't be too surprised if that
actually happens tbh

+1
Rubbish selections..seeku has proved again and again that he is useless. Wrist spinners are supposed to get more spin than finger spinners, but we saw how dilshan got more purchase out of the wicket than seeku.

 

[Thivagar]

Although the Sri Lankan bowling was average, credit must also be given to the Pakistani batsmen. Ther were superb and chased down the total with ease. We are seeing a change of fortune in the batting department so you will see more of this "going past 250" that you seem to not see when Pakistan are playing... I cant say the same about your batting after Sanga/Mahela and Dilshan also soon to retire.

And the funny thing is, it is much more difficult to score more than 250 now compared to last year

 

[Thivagar]

So they went in with just one and a half frontline bowlers eh (the half being Malinga who looks to be pregnant with twins or something). Marvan logic at it's best. It has now gone from 3 to 2 to just over 1 since he took over. Maybe no frontline bowlers next match. Wouldn't be too surprised if that actually happens tbh

Remember that 1 of the 2 front line bowler only bowled 5 overs

 

[Thivagar]

+1
Rubbish selections..seeku has proved again and again that he is useless. Wrist spinners are supposed to get more spin than finger spinners, but we saw how dilshan got more purchase out of the wicket than seeku.

Out off all the spin talent, SL went with with Seekuge .

 

[Belawal2014]

All SL players look unfit tbh, or at least the ones that caught my eye.

 

[Markhor]

What's happened to Shaminda Eranga ? In Tests he's got a much beter record than Prasad, Lakmal and Pradeep.

In ODIs Prasad and Lakmal have good records but in Tests their bowling average are nearly 50. SL bowled fairly well and were disciplined, though were aided and abetted by poor Pakistani batting. They don't seem like matchwinners.

 

[Saqs]

So they went in with just one and a half frontline bowlers eh (the half being Malinga who looks to be pregnant with twins or something). Marvan logic at it's best. It has now gone from 3 to 2 to just over 1 since he took over. Maybe no frontline bowlers next match. Wouldn't be too surprised if that actually happens tbh

Yeah what's with that? Even Mathews has a gut. For an all-rounder who bowls a bit and does well with the bat, there is no reason he should look like this. Too much Singer beer methinks.

 

[SL_Fan]

Yeah what's with that? Even Mathews has a gut. For an all-rounder who bowls a bit and does well with the bat, there is no reason he should look like this. Too much Singer beer methinks.

Into his second or third trimester by the look of it. Even the fitty year old bowling coach is in much better shape. How embarassing. The Slinga afro should be replaced by the Slinga phat suit.

Things have regressed big time since Marvan took over. Fitness levels and fielding especially have been absolutely deplorable. This is why SC teams need foreign coaches. Otherwise things just get too buddy-buddy.

 

[Saqs]

Into his second or third trimester by the look of it. Even the fitty year old bowling coach is in much better shape. How embarassing. The Slinga afro should be replaced by the Slinga phat suit.

Things have regressed big time since Marvan took over. Fitness levels and fielding especially have been absolutely deplorable. This is why SC teams need foreign coaches. Otherwise things just get too buddy-buddy.

oh wow! Looks even worse in the singlets.

You guys need Tom Moody back.

 

[SL_Fan]

Remember that 1 of the 2 front line bowler only bowled 5 overs

So that makes it just one frontline bowler then.

 

[SL_Fan]

oh wow! Looks even worse in the singlets.

You guys need Tom Moody back.

What we need is some divine intervention. Not even Jenny Craig can sort this lot out

Yeah Moody was a top coach. Very underrated imo. He really knows how to get the best out of the players. Word is that Ford might come back. Here's hoping.

 

[Blistering Barnacle]

Into his second or third trimester by the look of it. Even the fitty year old bowling coach is in much better shape. How embarassing. The Slinga afro should be replaced by the Slinga phat suit.

Things have regressed big time since Marvan took over. Fitness levels and fielding especially have been absolutely deplorable. This is why SC teams need foreign coaches. Otherwise things just get too buddy-buddy.

That's a pretty shocking gut for a fast bowler.

I don't think I've ever seen a fatter fast bowler. Maybe merv hughes actually.

 

[SL_Fan]

+1
Rubbish selections..seeku has proved again and again that he is useless. Wrist spinners are supposed to get more spin than finger spinners, but we saw how dilshan got more purchase out of the wicket than seeku.

Marvan logic bro. Same happened when he became the batting coach few years back. Completely messed up Chandi and Thiri. Now he's coming up with all sorts of "genius ploys" after becoming the head coach. Like dropping Herath at home for "tactical" reasons Playing a bunch of half and quarter cricketers instead of frontline bowlers. Chopping and changing after pretty much every game. And the list goes on. While rest of the top teams are going forward (Bangla and Zimboks as well) we are going backwards.

 

[Master Leo]

I've seen people saying Malinga's potbelly is due to the fact that him being unable to do sufficient exercises because of his chronic knee injury. But he should at least try to control his weight by dieting.Thisara is another guy who looks rather fat. SLC boss Sidath better do something about this issue before implementing his soft skills programmes.

 

[SL_Fan]

[MENTION=137677]Thivagar[/MENTION]



Don't worry he'll be in shape for the IPL. I'm sure.

 

[IndianWillow]

I've seen people saying Malinga's potbelly is due to the fact that him being unable to do sufficient exercises because of his chronic knee injury. But he should at least try to control his weight by dieting.Thisara is another guy who looks rather fat. SLC boss Sidath better do something about this issue before implementing his soft skills programmes.

Risky proposition. If you lose weight primarily through diet and not exercise, you will lose lean mass - he will get weaker. Pace bowlers can't afford to become weaker physically. If you carry a chronic injury it is difficult to stay lean and strong at the same time.

 

[Thivagar]

I've seen people saying Malinga's potbelly is due to the fact that him being unable to do sufficient exercises because of his chronic knee injury. But he should at least try to control his weight by dieting.Thisara is another guy who looks rather fat. SLC boss Sidath better do something about this issue before implementing his soft skills programmes.

[MENTION=137677]Thivagar[/MENTION]



Don't worry he'll be in shape for the IPL. I'm sure.

Elliptical and bikes barely put pressure on your knees, Malinga is just lazy.

 

[Markhor]

What we need is some divine intervention. Not even Jenny Craig can sort this lot out

Yeah Moody was a top coach. Very underrated imo. He really knows how to get the best out of the players. Word is that Ford might come back. Here's hoping.

Apparently there is a get out clause in Marvan Atapattu's contract where Sri Lanka Cricket can sack him in September if they feel a change is needed. Sanath Jayasuriya was asked about Graham Ford on a PTV Sport show though and he said it was only a rumour.

The seam bowling is one of the biggest problems, the bowling averages of nearly all the SL pacers except Eranga (who wasn't in the team for some reason ?) are terrible. Also the batting has been ordinary too, seems fragile when under pressure and prone to rash shots.

I don't think SL passed 350 once in the Tests - yet they called up Milinda Siriwardene who was the top batsman in the recent FC season yet batted at No 8 in the 1st ODI ? Why was he wasted down the order like that ?