Simons - 'Sangakkara's contribution was massive'

After an excellent innings from Kumar Sangakkara handed the initiative to Sri Lanka on the second day, Eric Simons, South Africa's coach, and John Dyson, his Sri Lankan counterpart, spoke to the press:

Eric Simons

On South Africa's performance with the ball

Getting their remaining wickets for 167 runs was not bad. At the end they wanted to bat as much time as they could and put as many runs on the board as they could. I would probably take 470 with them having been 303 for 3. You cannot afford to drop catches on a pitch like this and Sangakkara's contribution was massive. We were punished for it.

On Jayasuriya's double strike

It is always difficult to bat at the end of the day with spinners on, and pressure of the big score on the board. Losing two wickets in one over was a setback. We will have to be positive. It was a bit of a blow for us but that's the way the game goes. We have to put partnerships together.

On the pitch

Funnily enough, the wicket seems to be getting quicker. It's dried out a bit and it seems to have more pace, although the ball seems to get soft very quickly. The wicket yesterday was very slow.

On Jacques Rudolph's injury

He wouldn't have batted tonight. He's a bit stiff but he will be fine in the morning after some ice.

John Dyson

On Sangakkara

He batted beautifully. The form he has been in for some time now has suggested that he is going to string together a number of good scores. He had made a few cameo performances, a few 50s and 70s, and he was really due a big one.

On whether he should be in the World XI

I consider him to be the best wicketkeeper in Sri Lanka and I would say that in front of Romesh [Kaluwitharana] and Prasanna Jayawardene. He just also happens to be our best No. 3, so it's a difficult situation. In terms of the World XI against Australia how anyone could not pick him as the wicketkeeper/batsman I don't know.

On Sri Lanka's day

I was a little bit disappointed with our batting today. We didn't do as well as we should have. And at 100 for 1 I was thinking "Gosh, it would be nice to grab a couple," but Sunny [Sanath Jayasuriya] came on and as he often does nibbled a couple out. He has also shown in those three overs that if you bowl the right length and pace on that pitch there is a bit of turn there and hopefully there will be more and more of that.

On the pitch

I think this wicket is so dry that it will really turn on days four and five, although it is hard to predict on pitches here in Sri Lanka. It is then just about how quickly it will turn and whether it will also bounce. The pitch in Galle was too slow, and I hope this one keeps its greater pace and bounce and turns more as the game progresses.

On Murali's absence

The important thing with Murali is that he is managed so that he can play for the next few years because there is still a lot of cricket left in him. With the way his shoulder is, there is no point in risking a permanent injury. It is, though, a great opportunity for the likes of Upul [Chandana] and Rangana [Herath] to show what they can do.

On whether Sri Lanka would enforce the follow-on

That is a very difficult one. If it is a clear day and very hot then we would have to seriously consider just how difficult it would be to enforce the follow-on.