Prasanna should be put in the deep end, says Rumesh

Elmo RODRIGOPULLE in Pallekele

'You got to put him to the deep end and give a feel of what big time cricket is all about', said coach Rumesh Ratnayake when a question was posed to him as to the playing of leg spinner Seekkuge Prasanna in the ongoing Test at the media briefing after play was called off for the day.

With off spinner Ajantha Mendis complaining of back problems and Rangana Herath fracturing his finger and with no other spinner available the only option was to play Prasanna.

There is a lot of talk going around and questions asked as to why Mendis has not been considered. The coach squashed all rumours by saying that Mendis is suffering from a back problem and that it was felt that he be rested.

'He has a future before him. He is a good bowler and is not worth being risked', said the coach.

When asked whether there will be a change in the batting order in the second innings, after the poor batting in the first, Ratnayake said that there was no need for a change in the batting order. 'The batsmen should know what is expected from them and perform', he said.

When play begins today, the task facing the Lankans is to save this Test.