Sri Lanka could bounce back, says Kumar

CRICKET: Vice captain Kumar Sangakara believes that Sri Lanka could comeback into the game with a good performance on the field after they were bowled out for a modest 188 runs in their first innings on the opening day of the first Test match against England which began at the Asgiriya Stadium in Kandy yesterday.

The stylish left hander who hit a top score of 92 runs said that the wicket is still good for batting but if they pick up early wickets they could really bounce back into recognition. He was disappointed the manner the top order batted but praised the effort of wicket keeper batsman Prasanna Jayawardena who hit a fighting knock of 51 during a century stand for the sixth wicket.

Sangakkara said that he was happy to bat through the innings with the help of the tailenders similar to the effort he displayed in the second Test against Australia at Hobart recently. He was also disappointed that he could not complete his first century against England having batted with a great amount of authority until then.

Sangakara said that this is a typical Sri Lankan wicket and there were few deliveries that really kept low on the first day and this could be an encouraging sign for Sri Lanka who will be looking to pick up some early wickets to get back into the game. He noted that pacemen Mathew Hoggard who always hit the right areas was rewarded for his consistency with a four wicket haul.

Sangakkara said that it was little bit difficult to adjust himself from the conditions in Australia and needed few extra bating sessions at the nets before returning to his usual form.

He said that they were looking at a total of over 250 runs when the sixth wicket partnership with Prasanna Jayawardena was progressing smoothly. But once the stand was broken the Sri Lankan innings folded up for one of their lowest scores against England.

Sangakkara said that the team have not lost any confidence despite their poor batting performance and it is upto the bowlers to show character and the strength that they could comeback strongly on the second day.

(C.D).