Mathews: Batsmen lacked ‘intent’
Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews was annoyed by the way his batsmen attempted the chase in the first ODI against India in Cuttack, saying they showed no desire to even get close to the 364 required.
India's openers put on a stand of 231, with Ajinkya Rahane and Shikhar Dhawan both recording tons as Sri Lanka's fielding and bowling left a lot to be desired. Their batting was worse though, as only Mahela Jayawardene 43 showed a good attitude.
Mathews said after the game, which they lost by 169 runs after being bowled out for 194: "Chasing a score of over 360, we've got to approach it in a different way from how we batted in the first 10 overs.
"I actually thought that was one of our big faults. We didn't get off to a start. At least we could have showed some intent.
"All the batsmen should have approached it like Mahela. We needed to make a move."
Mathews added that his young bowlers did a good job initially, with Dhammika Prasad and debutant Lahiru Gamage keeping the runs down in the first 10 overs, before the floodgates opened once they tired.
He said: "Our new ball bowlers bowled really well in the first ten overs. I thought we let them let them off the hook after that. They played some really good shots and Ajinkya Rahane and Shikhar Dhawan batted brilliantly.
"India has always been a tough place for bowlers. It's a batsmen's game. Plenty of runs on offer on these wickets, so we need to bowl well to stop them."
Latest
-
T20 cricketT20 Cricket: Phil Salt out to make more memories at Barbados’ Kensington Oval
Salt watched plenty of cricket at the ground growing up on the Caribbean island.
-
T20 cricketEngland in the West Indies: Jason Roy marks return with rapid century in Barbados
The batter hit a 36-ball hundred as the tourists easily beat a Barbados Cricket Association President’s XI.
-
ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World CupICC Under 19 World Cup: India keep on winning, Australia bounce back
India made it two wins from two at the ICC Under 19 World Cup.
-
ODI cricketSouth Africa vs India: ‘We played close to the perfect game’ – Bavuma
South Africa beat India by 31 runs.
-
The AshesWomen’s Ashes: England captain Heather Knight wants ‘really aggressive’ start
The the multi-format series gets under way with the first of three Twenty20 matches on Thursday.
-
T20 World CupEngland exclusive: Phil Salt focusing on the fundamentals in T20 World Cup bid
Phil Salt wants to be in the T20 World Cup squad in Australia.
-
County CricketOttis Gibson announced as Yorkshire CCC head coach on three-year deal
Ottis Gibson comes into the troubled county.
-
T20 cricketNew Zealand visit to Australia put on hold due to border controls
Quarantine periods have proven a dealbreaker.
-
-
The AshesAshes failure: Eoin Morgan says Test cricket ‘always been the priority’ in England
Morgan defended The Hundred amid criticism of England’s priorities following the Test team’s Ashes embarrassment.