Other sides played better cricket than us, says Halangoda

The average age of the Sri Lankan side is 24-25 and the experience they gained from the T20 World Cup in Australia would stand them in good stead 

• Regardless of today’s results Lanka aim to finish off on a high

SYDNEY: Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka with their semi-final chances of qualifying for the T20 World Cup on the line, are not looking at the results of today’s matches involving defending champions Australia and losing finalist New Zealand, but are more focused on winning their final Group 1 match against England at the SCG on Saturday.

Wins for Australia and New Zealand in today’s double-header at Adelaide against Afghanistan and Ireland will virtually seal Sri Lanka’s fate of a semi-final place.

“We are not looking at the results of Friday’s matches, we want to win against England whatever said and done. Obviously we’ll know what happens tomorrow (Friday), but everybody’s plan is to win the England game and finish off on a high,” said Sri Lanka team manager Mahinda Halangoda as the team’s campaign to win the T20 World Cup gradually drew to a close.

Winning the Asia Cup and winning a T20 World Cup are two poles apart as the Sri Lankan team came to realise during their five weeks in Australia.

In the Asia Cup, Sri Lanka had to shuttle between Dubai and Sharjah which is only 30km separating the two venues and the conditions and pitches were more subcontinent like. However, in Australia, every venue threw up a challenge for the Lankans – the conditions, the pitches and the travel.

“There was quite a lot of travel involved. One day rest, then play in certain areas where there was a time difference also. That also takes its toll,” said Halangoda. 

“Actually, the second match in Perth, we landed there from Hobart one day before the match in the morning and had practices in the afternoon. It was not a short flight, about four-five hours. I am not trying to make excuses, but we lost due to the other sides playing better cricket than us. We have to accept that.”

“There is also the climate. The weather in Geelong and in Hobart were absolutely cold, conditions we were not used to. Obviously being professionals, you have to adapt to those conditions very quickly. But saying that, it is not easy. In Geelong it was very cold and those injuries (to fast bowlers) also happened due to it. The climate made a big difference.”

Apart from the travelling and cold conditions, assessing what went wrong for Sri Lanka, Halangoda said: “The injuries also made a huge impact. Injuries to two key bowlers Dilshan Madushanka and Dushmantha Chameera were a huge drawback for us. 

“I am sure if Chameera was there in the game against Australia we would have had a much different result. We never expected Chameera to get injured and even Dilshan for that matter, it was rather unfortunate.”

From the batting point of view Halangoda said: “We were expecting quite a lot from the openers. In certain games they gave us good starts. If you really look at it, it has been our openers who have always given us a very good start to go and win.”

“When you look at our past history and now, I think we have done much better. Looking back at about two years ago for us to get to totals of 120-130 was a huge challenge. Now we have actually moved from there and gone beyond 150-160.”

“If you look at our side, our average age is around 24-25, so there is quite a lot of inexperience. If you really go into detail I wouldn’t say we have a very experienced side. When you look at other sides, like Australia, India and England they have played so much of cricket.”

“The experience this team has gained from this World Cup would stand them in good stead for the future. We have been playing against top sides like Australia and New Zealand. Playing against top sides tests how good a side you are and what your strengths and weaknesses are. 

“From that aspect they have learnt a lot from this World Cup, especially how to adapt to different conditions and travel.” The Lankan team had a day off yesterday. They will practice at the SCG today in preparation for Saturday’s fixture against England.