GEORGETOWN - Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene says his team will bounce back from their dramatic one-wicket World Cup Super Eight defeat against South Africa at the Guyana National Stadium on Wednesday.
GEORGETOWN - Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene says his team will bounce back from their dramatic one-wicket World Cup Super Eight defeat against South Africa at the Guyana National Stadium on Wednesday.
Jayawardene said the fact that his team came so close to winning after a poor batting performance showed the ability and the fighting spirit of his players.
"We don't give up. From any situation we believe we can win matches," he said.
Looking ahead to Sunday's match against hosts West Indies at the same venue, Jayawardene said: "We are a very professional unit and we know exactly where we went wrong. The guys will make sure that we come back very strongly on Sunday."
For the Sri Lankans it will be a second opportunity to take advantage of conditions which Jayawardene admitted were akin to those found in their country, with a slow pitch providing plenty of help for the spin bowlers, spearheaded by Muttiah Muralitharan.
It was Muralitharan who kept Sri Lanka in with a slight chance on Wednesday, bowling superbly to take three for 34 before unorthodox fast bowler Lasith Malinga gave them an unexpected sight of victory by becoming the first bowler to take four wickets in four balls in a one-day international.
From needing only four runs with five wickets in hand, South Africa found themselves with their last pair at the crease and three still needed. A four by Robin Peterson settled South Africa's nerves.
Jayawardene said Malinga, who finished with 4 for 54, could be a big force in the World Cup.
"He usually picks up a few early wickets and he can be a handful for the lower middle order and the tailenders. I can use him at any stage. He's something special."
Jayawardene says there is no special action needed to spruce up the batting, which failed to click.
Proteas captain Graeme Smith endorsed Jayawardene's view of Sri Lanka's prospects: "Sri Lanka in these conditions are going to be a tough team to beat." - Sapa-AFP
Sri Lanka rely on fighting spirit
GEORGETOWN - Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene says his team will bounce back from their dramatic one-wicket World Cup Super Eight defeat against South Africa at the Guyana National Stadium on Wednesday.
GEORGETOWN - Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene says his team will bounce back from their dramatic one-wicket World Cup Super Eight defeat against South Africa at the Guyana National Stadium on Wednesday.
Jayawardene said the fact that his team came so close to winning after a poor batting performance showed the ability and the fighting spirit of his players.
"We don't give up. From any situation we believe we can win matches," he said.
Looking ahead to Sunday's match against hosts West Indies at the same venue, Jayawardene said: "We are a very professional unit and we know exactly where we went wrong. The guys will make sure that we come back very strongly on Sunday."
For the Sri Lankans it will be a second opportunity to take advantage of conditions which Jayawardene admitted were akin to those found in their country, with a slow pitch providing plenty of help for the spin bowlers, spearheaded by Muttiah Muralitharan.
It was Muralitharan who kept Sri Lanka in with a slight chance on Wednesday, bowling superbly to take three for 34 before unorthodox fast bowler Lasith Malinga gave them an unexpected sight of victory by becoming the first bowler to take four wickets in four balls in a one-day international.
From needing only four runs with five wickets in hand, South Africa found themselves with their last pair at the crease and three still needed. A four by Robin Peterson settled South Africa's nerves.
Jayawardene said Malinga, who finished with 4 for 54, could be a big force in the World Cup.
"He usually picks up a few early wickets and he can be a handful for the lower middle order and the tailenders. I can use him at any stage. He's something special."
Jayawardene says there is no special action needed to spruce up the batting, which failed to click.
Proteas captain Graeme Smith endorsed Jayawardene's view of Sri Lanka's prospects: "Sri Lanka in these conditions are going to be a tough team to beat." - Sapa-AFP