Debasis Sen, Pallekele: Sri Lanka’s batting consultant Hashan Tilekeratne feels hurt to see the performance of the team’s batting unit in the series so far. In the five innings so far, the Lankan batsmen have managed to go past 300 only once. The score of 135 all out in 37.4 overs in the first innings today at the Pallekele International Stadium was the worst performance by the Sri Lankan batsmen.
On being asked about the lacklustre performance from the batsmen, Tilekeratne said, “It’s very hurting, but you can’t find any excuses. You need to work with these boys and teach the best you know. Given a bit of time, I am sure they will put up a better show.”
Like the other members of the Sri Lankan team, Tilekeratne’s promise of a better show in the future turned out to be a regular feature of the interaction. According to the Sri Lankan batting coach, the young players lacked confidence.
“Yes we won 3-0 against Australia with the same side, but we are a little down on confidence. We just need one or two guys to put up their hands and do a miracle. I am sure the boys want to do the needful. From here we cannot go down but only up. As support staff, we are giving every bit of backing to the players, they are the ones who go out in the middle and perform. We are doing what we can to help them. We need to give them a little bit of time to get the desired results.
“Everyone makes mistakes and what we try to do is to reduce the number of mistakes. We expect the players will do that and bring us the victories which we are all waiting for. The players who are playing today are the best we have at the moment, we must give them the fullest support and they will bring results.”