“Asitha bowled a good line in the first few overs, but after that, they scored some runs off Dilshan. [Madushanka]”Kusal said after the match.
During the period when the New Zealand openers were attacking, Sri Lanka had to contend with a wet ball and a wet outfield, and a much slipperier surface, courtesy of heavy rain during an extended break in the innings. They may have feared the worst as they approached the halfway point of the innings.
“When we were batting, there didn’t seem to be much difficulty for the players; there was no dew or drizzle to deal with,” Kusal said. “But we have to give credit to our players. After the rain, with the dew, the ball gets quite wet. So I think the ball hit the bat better for them.” [New Zealand] on the wicket, that for us.”
However, it was the reliable Theekshana who finally made the breakthrough, with a double knock in the 14th over to remove both openers. This left New Zealand having to start over and gave Sri Lanka the opportunity they had been looking for to tighten the screws.
“Our plan was to keep the runs down at least even if the wickets didn’t come,” Kusal said. “The idea was to ensure that the required run rate continued to increase and create that pressure.”
“Honestly, he is bowling pretty well,” Kusal said of his captain’s bowling exploits. “He has played quite a bit since his time with the Under-19s. But after making it to the national team, you would have five frontline bowlers on a regular basis. So it wouldn’t be that common to use a part-time bowler.”
Asalanka has bowled in each of Sri Lanka’s last nine ODIs, picking up nine wickets in the process. However, most of their success has come on favorable surfaces at home, particularly in the series earlier this year against India on a Khettarama turner.
However, his efforts on Wednesday were the first in conditions that might not have been so ideal for spin bowling, and speaks to Sri Lanka’s growing confidence in bowler Asalanka, something that is further highlighted by the fact that in several of the recent ODIs, they have chosen to go with just four frontline players.
“It was only because Charith had played so well on previous tours that we decided to go with just four [frontline] bowlers [against New Zealand]”Kusal said. “He understands what is needed from him when he bowls and adapts depending on the batsman. Even as a captain, he reads many things well. Even during training, we ask him to bowl more, so that he can be ready when needed.”
The long-term viability of such a plan is questionable, particularly with genuine all-round batsmen like Dunith Wellalage and Chamindu Wickramasinghe missing from the XI. While Wellalage offers better bowling, and can also work on his batting, Wickramasinghe can clear the ropes as well as being a more useful seam option than Liyanage.
Furthermore, by opting to play two part-time bowlers in Kamindu and Liyanage (captain Asalanka remains a sure starter, injury or rest aside), Sri Lanka also rules out the option of having a fifth front-rower. . For now, however, they seem content to try their current combination.
“Janith, Charith and Mendis, all three bowl well,” Kamindu said. “In these kind of conditions, when the ball is harder to grip, then you need a seam bowler, which is what Janith is there for. The other two are there if it is a turning wicket. Kamindu Mendis can bowl with both. hands.
“Honestly, they get the job done when it’s needed. Sometimes if conditions change, we can see if we need to bring in a really quick bowler or spinner.”
