Chameera is back but the batting is shambolic

•  “If the batters had applied themselves a little better without throwing away their wickets we could have won” – Chameera

Sa’adi Thawfeeq reporting from Pallekele

Fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera gave the flustered Sri Lankan batting something to smile at when he produced his best bowling performance in a T20 International with his maiden five-fer to restrict England to 128-9 in the third and final match played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

That Chameera’s brilliant bowling went astray was because Sri Lanka came up with another of their dismal batting performances to be bowled out for 116 and hand to England a win by 12 runs that gave them a 3-0 series sweep.

There is no doubt that with Chameera recovering from his hamstring niggle and firing well ahead of the T20 World Cup along with speedster Matheesha Pathirana and leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, Sri Lanka have three match winning bowlers in their ranks, only if (it’s a big IF) the batsmen can use their heads and bat, instead of disgracing themselves in the middle like novices, playing strokes that even an under19 World Cup cricketer would be ashamed of.

The target of 129 didn’t demand any big hitting because Sri Lanka began their innings with an asking rate of only 6.40. Although there was something in the pitch for the spinners it was not unplayable. All that was required was a cool and calculated approach to work the ball to the gaps and the runs would have been there to be had. But instead, the batsmen were intent on trying to hit the ball out of the park and on a slow turning pitch it was like committing hara-kiri.

T20 cricket is all about batting not bowling and Sri Lanka have still not discovered the art of batting in the shortest format and it is leading from one disastrous performance to another. With the T20 World Cup just four days away, the Lankan batting looks in disarray. It has reached its nadir, that there is no other way, but the only way is up.

“It was a close game, but I think if the batters had applied themselves a little better without throwing away their wickets we could have won,” said a disappointed Chameera at the post-match media conference.

“The fact that we kept them to 128 was good, it was a chase-able total. It was just that we lost wickets through the middle overs. It was a run-a-ball requirement at the end. Because of the collapse we lost in the end. We do tend to get exposed because we play on these sort of [slow] wickets. In the dressing room when wickets fall like that it’s actually quite upsetting.”

“When wickets fall close to each other, the coming batter will find it difficult to score runs at a similar rate. So the scoring rate slows down in those instances. We need to find a way not to lose wickets in clusters, and instead turn over the strike better. In terms of mentality, we’re still in a good space. Going forward, we have games against Ireland and Oman first up, so we want to win those. And then Australia and Zimbabwe. We’re mentally ready for those games.”

On his comeback performance, Chameera said, “I had a small niggle and so I was rested in the ODIs, as well as in the first two T20Is. But now there are no issues, I intend to play all the upcoming matches. In terms of the wicket, I used a lot of variations such as slower balls.”

“Getting five wickets is no easy feat in T20s. With regard to that, yes I’m pleased. But even though I say that I am unhappy that we lost the match.”

Chameera expressed his disappointment to lose the match in such a manner.

“We’re all trying our best to win. The fans kept coming to the ground right up till the end, and I understand they’re upset we weren’t able to get the win. But I ask them to stick with us, we will do our best to make them proud in the World Cup.”

All-rounder Sam Curran who performed the hat-trick in the first T20I and hit a face-saving half-century in the third took the Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards.

“Sri Lanka are a fantastic team and I think we’re probably most proud to beat them in their home conditions,” said Curran. “In front of some great crowds and their home turf, whether that’s the ODIs or the T20Is. A great achievement and hopefully we can keep the winning run going.”

“This series was fantastic. We’re really happy and the guys are really excited getting back into the dressing room. I guess I’m just glad to be back playing for England and on the eve of the World Cup.”

The defeat was Sri Lanka’s 11th on the trot in T20 Internationals against England.