Jayasuriya: There are areas to be improved
Sri Lanka chief selector Sanath Jayasriya has admitted that the team's preparation for the upcoming World Cup is not ideal but is confident that they could turn things around before the showpiece event gets underway in mid-February in New Zealand and Australia.
Sri Lanka on Sunday suffered a 120 run to defeat to New Zealand in the sixth ODI out of seven matches to concede the series to the hosts four-one with one match to play.
Former opening batsman Jayasuriya said the one consolation that they could take from the tour so far is that at least they are getting use to conditions before the World Cup starts. Sri Lanka also lost the two-match Test series two-nil
Jayasuriya said: "There are areas to be improved and in the next few weeks I hope we can sort them out. There are aspects to improve every day.
"The only good thing is that we are playing in New Zealand and against the same opposition we will meet in our opening match of the World Cup.
"It's a good advantage for us to play here in these conditions which are tough. We have almost two months here playing Tests and ODIs to settle down and to play against the same country is a big advantage."
Of particular concern to the visitors would have been the middle-order batting and their bowling, who has leaked too many runs in the series.
Jayasuriya feels the result of the ODI series is not that important as long as the team is showing signs of improvement gearing up towards the World Cup.
"I am not too worried about the result of the ODI series against New Zealand but (we have to) put things that need to be put right like the bowlers and the lower middle-order.
"The next two-three weeks are crucial to work on our specific areas before the World Cup. I hope that when the World Cup starts everything will be in place."
Latest
-
Women's CricketJon Lewis keen to take World Cup fight to dominant Australia
England open their campaign against the West Indies on February 11.
-
EnglandJos Buttler understands ‘complicated’ decision for players to skip Bangladesh
Alex Hales, Sam Billings and Liam Dawson are among those missing the white-ball tour to play in the Pakistan Super League.
-
New ZealandKyle Jamieson returns to New Zealand fold for England Tests but Trent Boult out
Fast bowler Jamison has played for New Zealand since last summer.
-
EnglandJos Buttler focusing on positives despite England’s series loss in South Africa
There were some standout performances in the series as Jason Roy, Dawid Malan and Buttler all made hundreds.
-
EnglandEngland hand Rehan Ahmed first white-ball call-up for tour of Bangladesh
Ahmed became England’s youngest men’s Test cricketer when he lined up against Pakistan in Karachi.
-
EnglandHow are England’s prospects looking ahead of World Cup defence?
Twin defeats in Bloemfontein meant victory in Kimberley was a mere consolation for double world champions England.
-
EnglandJonny Bairstow heading in the right direction in his recovery from injury
The 33-year-old Yorkshireman underwent successful surgery on a broken leg and dislocated ankle in September after a freak golf incident.
-
EnglandJofra Archer enjoys new role as he bowls England to victory in South Africa
Archer did not open the bowling but produced career-best ODI figures.
-
EnglandSir Andrew Strauss lauds ‘extraordinary leaders’ Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes
England’s men’s team have won nine of their 10 Test matches under the new regime.
-
EnglandJofra Archer returns career-best ODI figures as England claim consolation win
England won the third and final match against South Africa but had already lost the series.