We Can Run Through Indian Batting: Jayawardene
Colombo, The wicket at the SSC ground may be a batting paradise but Sri Lanka vice captain Mahela Jayawardene is confident of ripping apart the strong Indian batting in the second cricket Test here. Jayawardene,
Colombo, The wicket at the SSC ground may be a batting paradise but Sri Lanka vice captain Mahela Jayawardene is confident of ripping apart the strong Indian batting in the second cricket Test here.
Jayawardene, who hit his 27th Test hundred today, said their spinners will go all out against the Indian batsman.
"We have runs on the board, So our guys will go on the attack. At the same time we know they have some quality batsmen who could bat for long periods.
"We will try and control Viru (Virender Sehwag) and other batsmen. We have three days of play left and just need a couple of opportunities to run through them," Jayawardene, who scored 174 in Sri Lanka's first innings said after second day's play.
"The game is in our hands. We need to put in lot of efforts. The wicket is still pretty good and we just need to be smart about it and try and get the first 10 wickets and then see how we can get the next 10," he added.
More than 400 runs were scored today at the SSC and Jayawardene was of the view that heavy scoring makes Test cricket exciting.
"I think Test cricket will survive. We scored 400 plus runs here today which itself is something special. Now a days it is not boring. It is very attractive and it is not easy."
Talking about his side's splendid show with the bat, Jayawardene said India's depleted bowling department and their own attacking approach helped their cause.
"We thought Bhajji is the most experience bowler and he can be the match winner. We thought if we can control him we could get runs. They are short of their few senior bowlers.
"I and Sangha complement each other very well being right and left hand. The bowlers find it difficult to settle to one line. Both of us are now more attacking. Earlier in our careers we were much defensive in Test cricket. Now I think we attack more. Put lot of pressure on the bowlers," he said.
Jaywardene today surpassed Sir Don Bradman record of scoring most Test centuries at venue with his 10th ton at SSC but refused comparisons with the Australian legend.
Bradman scored nine tons in 10 matches at the MCG.
"I needed 23 Test matches to get there (10 centuries at ssc ground) and don got it in 10 at MCG. That caps it of. I am pleased that I have got the record. I don't think you can compare what he had done at that time and what we are doing right now. He is a legend.
"The record will definitely be a moment for me. I love to play in my home ground. I grew up playing here. It is fun play before the club members. It is something special," he said. PTI
Jayawardene, who hit his 27th Test hundred today, said their spinners will go all out against the Indian batsman.
"We have runs on the board, So our guys will go on the attack. At the same time we know they have some quality batsmen who could bat for long periods.
"We will try and control Viru (Virender Sehwag) and other batsmen. We have three days of play left and just need a couple of opportunities to run through them," Jayawardene, who scored 174 in Sri Lanka's first innings said after second day's play.
"The game is in our hands. We need to put in lot of efforts. The wicket is still pretty good and we just need to be smart about it and try and get the first 10 wickets and then see how we can get the next 10," he added.
More than 400 runs were scored today at the SSC and Jayawardene was of the view that heavy scoring makes Test cricket exciting.
"I think Test cricket will survive. We scored 400 plus runs here today which itself is something special. Now a days it is not boring. It is very attractive and it is not easy."
Talking about his side's splendid show with the bat, Jayawardene said India's depleted bowling department and their own attacking approach helped their cause.
"We thought Bhajji is the most experience bowler and he can be the match winner. We thought if we can control him we could get runs. They are short of their few senior bowlers.
"I and Sangha complement each other very well being right and left hand. The bowlers find it difficult to settle to one line. Both of us are now more attacking. Earlier in our careers we were much defensive in Test cricket. Now I think we attack more. Put lot of pressure on the bowlers," he said.
Jaywardene today surpassed Sir Don Bradman record of scoring most Test centuries at venue with his 10th ton at SSC but refused comparisons with the Australian legend.
Bradman scored nine tons in 10 matches at the MCG.
"I needed 23 Test matches to get there (10 centuries at ssc ground) and don got it in 10 at MCG. That caps it of. I am pleased that I have got the record. I don't think you can compare what he had done at that time and what we are doing right now. He is a legend.
"The record will definitely be a moment for me. I love to play in my home ground. I grew up playing here. It is fun play before the club members. It is something special," he said. PTI