Angelo Mathews wants positive start from SL openers

Questioning the approach of his frontline batsmen, Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews attributed the 169-run loss to India in the opening ODI to the abject surrender by the visiting side's batting line-up on a good Barabati Stadium wicket

Cuttack: Questioning the approach of his frontline batsmen, Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews attributed the 169-run loss to India in the opening ODI to the abject surrender by the visiting side's batting line-up on a good Barabati Stadium wicket.


Angelo Mathews

Chasing 364 for a win, Sri Lanka were shot out for 194 in 39.2 overs and Mathews did not hide his disappointment after trailing the five-match series.

"Our batsmen's approach has to be a very positive, look to score runs whether spinners or pacers, we should look to score runs all the time. Chasing 360-plus you need to show a different approach in the first 10 overs.

I thought our downfall was the first 10 overs while batting," Mathews told reporters at the post-match interaction yesterday.


Sri Lanka players arrive in Ahmedabad yesterday for the second ODI on November 6. Pic/PTI 

Mahela Jayawardene (43) was the Lankan top-scorer as none of their experienced pros, including Kumar Sangakkara (13) or Tillakaratne Dilshan (18), could notch up a
big score.

"The wicket was very good and we could have chased it if we had wickets in hand. I thought in the first 10 overs the approach while batting especially was not that great when we're chasing 360-plus.

We did not get off to a go start, at least we could have showed some good intent at the start," Mathews reiterated.

The Lankan skipper said they always knew India would be a tough opposition at home. "It's not the best place to be a bowler. It is going to be hard work but we need to regroup and come back stronger. We know it's going to be tough playing in India."

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