Woolmer: 'We simply had a bad day at the office'
In the wake of Pakistan's seven-wicket win against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup, Bob Woolmer, Pakistan's coach, and Marvan Atapattu, Sri Lanka's captain, were contrasting moods with the result:
Wisden Cricinfo staff
21-Jul-2004
In the wake of Sri Lanka's seven-wicket win against Pakistan in the Asia Cup, Bob Woolmer, Pakistan's coach, and Marvan Atapattu, Sri Lanka's captain, were contrasting moods with the result:
Bob Woolmer
That was a perfect batting pitch and every dismissal, bar Mohammad Sami who received a good delivery from Sanath Jayasuriya, was self-inflicted. Inzi [Inzamam-ul-Haq] kicked the ball onto his stumps, Youhana tried to take a single to silly point and three others selected poor strokes. We have had a bad day, but the important question is why?
That was a perfect batting pitch and every dismissal, bar Mohammad Sami who received a good delivery from Sanath Jayasuriya, was self-inflicted. Inzi [Inzamam-ul-Haq] kicked the ball onto his stumps, Youhana tried to take a single to silly point and three others selected poor strokes. We have had a bad day, but the important question is why?
That is what we have to now work out before the game against India. We need to understand what was going in their minds because the batsmen were all in form and the practice and preparation was good. Maybe we weren't tested enough in the first two games? We are not going to shout at people though. We simply had a bad day in the office.
Unfortunately, we gave them a bonus point and that puts us under real pressure to qualify. We are not going to panic, though, and we will not be looking to make changes. We have to give people an opportunity. If you look at the positives, I thought we bowled magnificently. They were fearsome out there and I was glad I was not batting.
Marvan Atapattu
On the team's performance
We stuck to the basics and were disciplined enough to do well in all three departments of the game. We are playing as a team and that is what we have been emphasising. It is working well at the moment and everyone's focus is right.
On the team's performance
We stuck to the basics and were disciplined enough to do well in all three departments of the game. We are playing as a team and that is what we have been emphasising. It is working well at the moment and everyone's focus is right.
On Nuwan Zoysa
He is making a habit of this [winning Man of the Match awards]. In the past he had enough critics, but he is facing them now and has come good for Sri Lanka and giving 100%. As captain, I have to say he is marvellous now.
He is making a habit of this [winning Man of the Match awards]. In the past he had enough critics, but he is facing them now and has come good for Sri Lanka and giving 100%. As captain, I have to say he is marvellous now.
On the Premadasa pitch
This pitch has changed now. It used to be a 250 plus wicket, but now it has started to seam about more. With the grass having not been cut the ball retained its shine and it moved around under the lights.
This pitch has changed now. It used to be a 250 plus wicket, but now it has started to seam about more. With the grass having not been cut the ball retained its shine and it moved around under the lights.
On the recall of Sanath Jayasuriya
We are looking at the composition of the side and we have to be fair by individuals. It was tough on Saman [Jayanatha] but there was no question about bringing Sanath [Jayasuriya] back. He is good enough to prove them [Sanath's critics] wrong.
We are looking at the composition of the side and we have to be fair by individuals. It was tough on Saman [Jayanatha] but there was no question about bringing Sanath [Jayasuriya] back. He is good enough to prove them [Sanath's critics] wrong.