'If we had bowled first, we'd have bowled them out'
Sri Lanka ended the first day of Sanath Jayasuriya's farewell Test on 267 for 8. Here's what Trevor Penney, Sri Lanka's assistant coach, had to say on the day's events
Cricinfo staff
03-Apr-2006
Sri Lanka ended the first day of Sanath Jayasuriya's farewell Test on 267 for 8. Kumar Sangakkara and Thilan Samaraweera revived the innings after Mohammad Asif wrecked the top order. Here's what Trevor Penney, Sri Lanka's assistant coach, had to say on the day's events.
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On the first day's play
We are really pleased in our camp about how it ended up - [Kumar] Sangakkara and [Thilan] Samaraweera really played well to get us out of a hole at 61 for 3. The way it was moving around this morning we could have been bowled out by tea time. I think if we had bowled first we'd have bowled them out by now. Obviously, we'd prefer to be four or five down rather then eight but I think its honours even at the moment.
We are really pleased in our camp about how it ended up - [Kumar] Sangakkara and [Thilan] Samaraweera really played well to get us out of a hole at 61 for 3. The way it was moving around this morning we could have been bowled out by tea time. I think if we had bowled first we'd have bowled them out by now. Obviously, we'd prefer to be four or five down rather then eight but I think its honours even at the moment.
On the condition of the pitch
It got flatter as the ball got older and then once the new ball was taken it started to seam around again. I think it will stay seaming for the next couple of days and we were quite pleased to see some turn out there.
It got flatter as the ball got older and then once the new ball was taken it started to seam around again. I think it will stay seaming for the next couple of days and we were quite pleased to see some turn out there.
On Mohammad Asif's performance
Asif bowled well in the last Test and beautifully today, hitting a good length and moving the ball both ways to make it very difficult for our batsman.
Asif bowled well in the last Test and beautifully today, hitting a good length and moving the ball both ways to make it very difficult for our batsman.
On whether Sri Lanka have the firepower to do something similar
[Farveez] Maharoof bowled beautiful in the last Test and he can do exactly the same job. We then have [Nuwan] Kulasekera and some pace from [Lasith] Malinga. While Asif bowled really well I didn't think their other seamers backed him up well. I hope we can bowl better as a unit.
[Farveez] Maharoof bowled beautiful in the last Test and he can do exactly the same job. We then have [Nuwan] Kulasekera and some pace from [Lasith] Malinga. While Asif bowled really well I didn't think their other seamers backed him up well. I hope we can bowl better as a unit.
On Sanath's disappointing start to his farewell Test
It was perhaps not ideal to have a little ceremony just before going out to bat. I know I had a lump in my throat and goosebumps - it was a very special moment. But I thought Sanath did really well to bat for nearly an hour out there and then got a really good ball - hopefully he will fire in the second innings.
It was perhaps not ideal to have a little ceremony just before going out to bat. I know I had a lump in my throat and goosebumps - it was a very special moment. But I thought Sanath did really well to bat for nearly an hour out there and then got a really good ball - hopefully he will fire in the second innings.
On his first day in-charge
I enjoyed the experience. I have not been speaking to Tom [Moody] but he has been text-messaging the manager all the time. I think he is quite pleased too.
I enjoyed the experience. I have not been speaking to Tom [Moody] but he has been text-messaging the manager all the time. I think he is quite pleased too.