Sri Lanka batting ‘the worst I’ve seen’ – Grant Flower

Hosts’ batting coach at a loss to clarify how they have been all out for 135

The worst he is seen. That was batting coach Grant Flower‘s summation of Sri Lanka’s first innings at Galle, the place they have been all out for 135, towards an England assault that have been removed from unplayable.

Amongst Sri Lanka’s worst photographs have been these of Kusal Perera, who fell reverse sweeping Dom Bess‘ second ball of the collection, in addition to Niroshan Dickwella, who slapped a large lengthy hop from Bess straight to level. Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews and Wanindu Hasaranga additionally all fell taking part in attacking photographs.

“I am unable to clarify it,” Flower mentioned of the batting efficiency, after stumps. “I have been with the staff for a 12 months. It is the worst batting I’ve seen. It is purely psychological I believe. I haven’t got any causes to clarify that.

“Each single batsman ought to take the blame. They’ve solely received themselves responsible. One of many guys was unfortunate – Dasun Shanaka – when it got here off Jonny Bairstow’s ankle. However the remainder simply received themselves out. There was some first rate bowling, however the pitch is not a minefield.”

Flower mentioned the failings in Sri Lanka’s batting have been all within the head, moderately than of their strategies. Though Sri Lanka misplaced 2-0 in South Africa, they’d not had as woeful an innings there, as they did on Thursday in Galle.

“I am unable to give a lot technical recommendation,” Flower mentioned. “I can solely speak to them concerning the psychological side, and ask them what they have been considering concerning their dismissals. I’ve solely spoken to a couple in addition to the coach. I am perplexed. I’ve by no means seen us bat that badly. Whether or not it was nerves or getting back from South Africa…

“However they know these situations so properly, so they need to have had a giant benefit over England. However the England batsmen confirmed us this afternoon there’s nothing mistaken with the pitch up to now. It is going to worsen, however at the moment it performed properly and we batted terribly.”

The batsman who did worst on Friday was Kusal Mendis, who collected a second-ball duck. This was his fourth consecutive nought in Exams, having made 12, 0, 0, and 0 in South Africa. He was out pushing at a straightening Stuart Broad ball, exterior off stump. He edged it to the wicketkeeper.

“I believe in South Africa there might need been a couple of technical issues [with Mendis’ batting], however at the moment it did not have something to do with approach. I believe it was only a psychological lapse. He was taking part in at a ball that he should not have.”