CricInfo speaks to Kevin Curran and Hemantha Devapriya after the final test match at Matara.

KEVIN:

Kevin you must be very disappointed with that performance?

Yes, when you lose by an innings its always disappointing. I think we lost it in their first innings when I thought they got 100 too many. It wasn't the best test wicket but having said that if we had scored around about the same in the first innings, the game could have been a lot more interesting. It was always going to be difficult to bat on that wicket against the Sri Lankan spinners who I thought bowled really well. They got it in the right areas and posed problems. It was excessive turn from the first day. Our spinners are not as experienced as the Sri Lankans.

De Saram's 143 was the difference between the two sides although I don't think we bowled very well to him. We also dropped that bat pad catch when he was only on about 10. That could have made the difference.

At the end of the day the Sri Lankan side has more experience at this level. As I said before the start of the tour it's a big learning curve for the guys. The more cricket they play of this standard the better they will become. These guys can all go back home and learn from their mistakes.

Do you think your players were too negative throughout the series?

When you are behind the eight ball you have got to survive. We have never been in a position to be positive. When you are that far behind you have got to just try and survive, if you try and be positive then the game is just going to finish quicker. Until you get runs in the first innings you are always going to be trying to save the game.

Would you say that you lost the series because the batsmen were unable to score runs in the first innings or because of the bowlers?

I think it was a bit of both really. We were outplayed a bit in both the bowling and the batting. If you are honest we were out bowled in the last test match in Galle and again here. Their spinners put the ball in the right places and exploited the conditions.

Is there a future in Zimbabwean cricket for some of the players on this tour?

Sure. On the positive side look at Craig Wishart who got a hundred in the last game against a Sri Lankan bowling attack that bowled well. I think he is a quality player and I am sure the he will be in the test side soon. I would like to see him there now.

The other guys have just got to learn from their experiences here. If the do they will become better players and they will be able to go up the next level

What about the one-day games?

One-day cricket is a different ball game. These guys have been used to one day cricket, that's been their lives. As I have said before they haven't played many 3 or 4 day games before. I think we will be a lot more competitive in the one-day matches?

Do you think you will give Sri Lanka a better contest in the one-day matches?

I would like to think so! I will be very, very disappointed if we lose by the same margin in the one-day matches. I think we will be a lot more competitive.

What lessons have been learnt in the series so far?

Guys like Raymond Price have shown that on these kinds of wickets you have got to occupy the crease for a longer period of time. He showed that and some of the younger guys are learning that. It's a massive learning curve for these guys. When you come across quality bowlers they bowl you a bad every four or five overs. If you don't get hold of that then you are not really going to score and that's puts pressure on you. They are not used to that. They are used to one or two bad balls an over in the league cricket they play.

What lessons have the bowlers learnt?

Same kind of lessons. You cannot run in and bowl both sides of the wicket. If you do then sides like Sri Lanka will put those balls away. They have learnt those lessons the hard way. Perhaps thet should have had more preparation before they came here.

Are you satisfied with the facilities?

This ground wasn't really up to standard, Kurunegala was par and Galle was a bit better. I have played on better grounds, put it that way.

What about the umpiring during the series?

Generally the umpiring has been ok although I was a little disappointed in this game here where they kept the covers on late on Friday morning. Greg Lamb got a few balls that lifted up that morning and he was eventually out. If the wicket had been try that wouldn't have happened. They made a mistake then but they won't admit it.

HEMANTHA:

Did you expect the game to finish so soon after lunch?

Yes, we were hoping to get at least 3 or 4 wickets in yesterday's session but they batted well. We thought they would play a bit more positive. But the wicket was giving the spinners a lot of assistance and we knew that we could get 4 wickets at any time. We never expected the match to finish around lunchtime.

Were you surprised by Zimbabwean approach in the second innings?

Yes I was surprised by their approach because I thought they would use their feet more and try to get into the lead. You see when you are negative and are playing down, down all the time the strike won't be rotated and the players who are used to playing strokes will be in trouble.

Were you surprised by the Zimbabweans negativity throughout this series?

They are not very good feet users against the spin bowlers. But you cannot just learn that in one test match, you have to have the talent to use your feet. I have not seen their batsmen coming down the wicket and putting the pressure onto the spinners. If they had used their feet it could have been a different story.

Do you see some good players emerging from this `A' squad?

I think there are a lot of good players emerging. During this tour they have picked up a lot of confidence. They have to build up their skills some more though.

Indika De Saram's 143 was the one knock that I have seen when we have been under pressure. It was one of the best hundreds that I have seen on this tour.

What about the wicket?

It's not a good wicket. They have to do a lot to that wicket to make it a good one to play on. It started turning and bouncing from the first day. It wasn't an even wicket and thus there are places where the roller has not touched.

He did well throughout the series. He is a good thinking cricketer. He did everything he could to get wickets. Its very difficult to set a field when the ball is doing everything so I think he did well.

What about the one-day series?

I think they will do better in the one-day matches because they have a lot of all-rounders. It's a completely different ball game and we will be looking forward to the matches.

Are you going to be making any changes for the one-day games?

I am not sure yet but the team will be selected from the squad of 24. There are some players from the national squad who are recovering from injury who they may want to try. These would be bowlers.