Sri Lanka Under-19 will bounce back, says coach

Roger Wijesuriya, the Sri Lanka Under-19 coach, felt that all was not lost after his team failed to qualify for the final of the recently-concluded Tri-Nation Under-19s Tournament at home. Sri Lanka didn't win a single match in the tournament, which was won by India.

"Give us some time and we will bounce back," Wijesuriya said. The tournament was seen as a preparation for next year's U-19 World Cup in Malaysia.

Wijesuriya said that the players were tired after a long season, having played seven months of cricket. "The players were drained out both physically and mentally. They never enjoyed playing [in the tournament] due to an overdose of cricket and fitness was a factor."

Wijesuriya, who played four Tests for Sri Lanka, also blamed the poor performances on the inability of the top order to get the team off to a good start. "We were always on the back foot. By the first 10 overs we had lost our top three batsmen and it put a severe strain on the middle order." To make matters worse, Sri Lanka were without the services of two key middle-order batsmen - Roshane Silva and Nisham Mazahir - due to injuries.

However, Wijesuriya said the team had no excuses for such a disappointing performance. "Up to now we have been doing quite well. Ups and downs will come but we need to learn from our mistakes and bounce back."

He said that his team could learn lessons from the Bangladeshi and Indian players. "They knew exactly what was expected of them. They knew how to get out of tough situations. This is one area where our boys are lacking," Wijesuriya said, indicating that the fault was in the school system, where players were not given enough responsibility.

"Our batsmen need to spend more time at the crease and not throw away their wickets when they reach 30 or 40 runs. This is the result of the school system where playing for bonus points has had its adverse effects." Although bonus points have been done away two years ago, many of the national team players had been exposed to it during their formative years.

Wijesuriya, however, is confident that the team can rectify their mistakes and bounce back. The side have a few more series lined up against Bangladesh, New Zealand and Pakistan before the World Cup in Malaysia.