Jayasuriya - 'We have a good chance'
After another closely-fought day's play at Galle between Sri Lanka and South Africa, Sanath Jayasuriya and Jacques Rudolph spoke to the press
Charlie Austin at Galle
07-Aug-2004
After another closely-fought day's play at Galle between Sri Lanka and South Africa, Sanath Jayasuriya and Jacques Rudolph spoke to the press:
Sanath Jayasuriya
On Sri Lanka's chances
We have a very good chance because it is not easy batting out there now. The ball is starting to turn a lot and it is not easy to get runs. It will be very difficult for their batsmen tomorrow. Not all the balls will jump, but some will. If the spinners bowl we can also bowl more than 90 overs. We must make sure we bowl in the right areas. We took a longer time in the first innings, but Upul [Chandana] and Murali didn't bowl so well then. If one of them bowls really well tomorrow, we are there. Murali got his line wrong in the first innings. There is no bounce on the wicket, that is why we have to bowl a little faster than normal spin. It is very important to win as it will give the team more confidence.
We have a very good chance because it is not easy batting out there now. The ball is starting to turn a lot and it is not easy to get runs. It will be very difficult for their batsmen tomorrow. Not all the balls will jump, but some will. If the spinners bowl we can also bowl more than 90 overs. We must make sure we bowl in the right areas. We took a longer time in the first innings, but Upul [Chandana] and Murali didn't bowl so well then. If one of them bowls really well tomorrow, we are there. Murali got his line wrong in the first innings. There is no bounce on the wicket, that is why we have to bowl a little faster than normal spin. It is very important to win as it will give the team more confidence.
Jacques Rudolph
On his hundred
I really had to occupy the crease and spend some time out there being the first knock of the season. It is a special feeling. It is always nice to get a Test hundred, especially here in Galle against the likes of Muralitharan.
I really had to occupy the crease and spend some time out there being the first knock of the season. It is a special feeling. It is always nice to get a Test hundred, especially here in Galle against the likes of Muralitharan.
On his similarities with Gary Kirsten
We play more or less the same type of game and try to steady the ship when things are going badly. He left a legacy that is going to be hard to fill, but I want to fill that same kind of role: when the going gets tough I want to be in there.
We play more or less the same type of game and try to steady the ship when things are going badly. He left a legacy that is going to be hard to fill, but I want to fill that same kind of role: when the going gets tough I want to be in there.
On South Africa's chances
It is going to be interesting tomorrow. There are a lot of possibilities. If we can have a good first session tomorrow, that will probably dictate whether it is going to be a win for us or not.
It is going to be interesting tomorrow. There are a lot of possibilities. If we can have a good first session tomorrow, that will probably dictate whether it is going to be a win for us or not.
On the difference between conditions at Galle and Chittagong (his last century in the subcontinent)
I think Chittagong was a little bit hotter than this. One thing nice about this ground is it is next to the sea and there is always a breeze. There is not as much humidity as there was in Chittagong.
I think Chittagong was a little bit hotter than this. One thing nice about this ground is it is next to the sea and there is always a breeze. There is not as much humidity as there was in Chittagong.
On playing Murali
It was a good experience facing Murali. It is nice to face someone like this at Galle in his own conditions. I played him as instinctively as possible, obviously I had a game plan in mind. I think you have got to try and keep it simple and runs will come.
It was a good experience facing Murali. It is nice to face someone like this at Galle in his own conditions. I played him as instinctively as possible, obviously I had a game plan in mind. I think you have got to try and keep it simple and runs will come.
On the pitch
Pitch is a little bit slow espcieally for the spinners you really got to reach your length to bowl a dangerous ball.
Pitch is a little bit slow espcieally for the spinners you really got to reach your length to bowl a dangerous ball.