Sri Lanka’s comprehensive win over Australia by 49 runs in the first ODI was a one man show, especially in the batting unit for the home team.
Sri Lanka will now want the top order to play their natural game based on the fact that they can play fearless cricket knowing that they cannot lose the series since it is a two match contest.
Pathum Nissanka needs to put his hand up Kamindu Mendis must get among the runs. Wanindu Hasaranga looks in bleak form. These are issues that can be settled through the respective players’ mindset.
Sri Lanka is playing against the best , Australia is without the likes of senior players. Hence, it is a concern when the batting cordon faltered but succeeded through a one man show.
Mahesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage had something to write about by their sterling performances, but can that be stated about Hasaranga?
Janith Liyanage must be the backbone of the mniddle order in the mould of Hashan Thilekeratna of a the bygone era.
Unless otherwise, these areas are addressed forthwith, Sri Lanka’s identity as a dangerous outfit will lose its salt content on the international stage.
Australia will play the same team because they look at the bigger pitchure and are masters at correcting their mistakes.
Their fresh legs in the batting cordon which looked school boyish against quality spin. However, the bowling unit, despite the traditional Australian venom of rib cage tickels and chin music, did well to restrict Sri Lanka to 214.
Australia will never throw in the towel. They will come back hard. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, must improve in their slip catching skills.
Sadly, the two slip catches that went down in the first ODI are regulation chances , Sri Lanka was lucky that those chances that went egging did not have a bearing in the final outvome but remember every day is not Christmas.
Sri Lanka got away scot-free, but slip catching is an important cog in the wheel for any team to succeed at this level.
Australia is trying out bench strength options before the Champions Trophy because some senior players have opted out of the world showpiece event