GALLE, Friday – Niroshan Dickwella, the cricketer with the never-say-die attitude is confident that even if Sri Lanka have to chase down a target of around 225 their batters are capable of getting it.
"That’s the confidence we have. If Suranga (Lakmal) can do that for us, our top order should be able to do the job for the team as well,” was the point Dickwella made at the end of the third day of the first Test against New Zealand at Galle yesterday.
“The wicket is turning but it is slow. Slower than what we get in Galle before. Even if we get a target of 225 or so I think we can chase it down. Batting fourth will be tough on this wicket no doubt but we have a decent batting line-up.
“We need to get them out tomorrow morning as quickly as possible. I don’t think it’s hard to bat on that wicket. We have done that before and I am sure the batters will put the hands up and do the job for the team,” he said.
When it was pointed out that a target of 99 was the most successful run chase at this venue, Dickwella replied, “Stats are that what teams have done in the past. This is a different team and different opposition. We have to play according to the situation. With our batting line-up we can do that. Not a difficult wicket to bat on. Our batters will do the job I feel.”
It was Dickwella’s 81-run partnership for the eighth wicket with Lakmal that gave Sri Lanka a slender 18-run first innings lead after they were reduced to 161-7 at one stage.
Dickwella made a defiant 61 to top score for his team in the first innings and Lakmal 40.
“It was a crucial innings for me. I didn’t score runs in South Africa but I had scored runs in Australia and New Zealand. At that point we were 160 for seven and we were in big trouble. I had to build the innings with Suranga and I had to get some runs as well. I had to protect Suranga from the tough bowlers. We were brave enough and got a very good partnership and it was unfortunate that Suranga was out in the morning, but we were able to get an 18-run lead,” said Dickwella.
“I knew had I hung around I could get some runs. The 81-run stand was important as we were able to get a lead in the game. After the South Africa series I am playing a game after four months and I am pleased with the effort. I cannot change my game but I can play a different role. I didn’t try to over attack. I took most of the strikes. Sweeps and reverse sweeps are my strengths and I get my runs through that. I try to play my normal game,” he said.
Dickwella was dropped from the Sri Lanka team for the 2019 World Cup and that break from cricket he said had given him the opportunity to iron out some of his faults.
“I got a two-month break and I started training with the ‘A’ team. I was in India with the ‘A’ team and I was desperate to perform and I performed well. I realized what my mistakes were. I changed a few things. Skill training and gym and I feel that I was better than what I was before,” explained Dickwella. “It is difficult to explain the way I train and the habits I had. I hope I can prove it by performing in the middle.”
ANYTHING OVER 200 WILL BE TOUGH - LATHAM
New Zealand opener Tom Latham was of the view that any target above 200 would be a tough one to chase on the fourth innings on this Galle pitch.
“We are not too far off from that target. The important thing for us is that to come tomorrow morning and put up those partnerships like we did today,” said Latham. “Like Tim Southee, Will Somerville has to help us build a partnership with B.J. Watling, who has been outstanding today. Hopefully we can stitch that total to as many as possible. We know how tough it can be in the fourth innings to chase down a score.”
New Zealand had an overall lead of 177 runs with three wickets in hand at the end of the third day.
“It’s a surface where when you get in you can score but sometimes things happen quickly in this part of the world. This wicket is no different. Through the three innings we have seen wickets have been lost in a hurry. Hopefully we can put pressure on the Sri Lankans and the wicket keeps deteriorating and the spinners will come into play,” said Latham.
“Sri Lanka bowled reasonably well with the new ball. There were some scoring opportunities and it was to stick to the game plan. When the spinners came on there were scoring opportunities and we tried to score more freely,” he said.
Latham praised the fighting knock of 63 not out played by BJ Watling that has kept his team in the game.
“It was a fantastic innings by Watling. He is a guy who stands up when we need him. He is obviously great when we need him and he showed that again today as well. The last couple of partnerships were crucial and if he keeps putting those partnerships tomorrow we can hopefully put a good score on the board to defend,” said Latham.
“His calmness under pressure he has done time and time again for us. Tough situations he enjoys and it brings the best out of him. It’s great to have him in our team.”
New Zealand batters have been greatly helped on how to play on Sri Lanka’s slow and turning surfaces by former Sri Lanka cricketer Thilan Samaraweera whom they have signed up as their batting consultant for the series.
“Thilan has been great. He has played here a lot. What he did here and how he approached and to have someone like him has been great. He has worked with a lot of skills with our batters and I am sure he will add lot more values as we move on,” said Latham.
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