Spin-bowling coach Craig Howard says that SL failed to control the run rate

More than a year has passed since Sri Lanka’s last Test match at Galle, and one of their key spinners hasn’t participated in long-format cricket in many months. Is this the reason behind SL slow bowlers’ inaccuracy on the second day of their Test match against New Zealand?

While not attempting to clear the Sri Lankan spinners, spin bowling coach Craig Howard did imply that they needed some time to regain their rhythm in Galle. He acknowledged that they could have performed better, though.

“If we’d bowled the way we’d have liked to, we’d be in a much better position,” Howard stated. The New Zealand hitters would not have been able to rotate the strike as easily and we would have restricted the number of boundary balls if we had been able to maintain our line and length for an extended period of time. We focus a lot on managing the run rate, and we weren’t successful today.”

SL two main spinners, Prabath Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis, both got just one wicket on Thursday on a Galle ground that was taking plenty of turns. In his 31 overs, Jayasuriya threw out 99 runs.

Prabhath was somewhat off. He’s a really happy man,” Howard remarked. “You average 22 at Galle for a reason, so I’m sure he’ll come back, and I’m sure he’ll have a major impact on this Test.”

Though Ramesh went at an economy rate of more than four in his 17 overs, he was more costly than Jayasuriya. Ramesh had stayed off the pitch for the all of Sri Lanka’s three Test matches in England, while Jayasuriya had participated in two of them.

“Ramesh Mendis hasn’t played a red-ball game for probably a few months now,” Howard stated. “He was not playing in the LPL (Lanka Premier League) and was on a tour of England.” He was most likely a little off in terms of length and line.”

According to Howard, the New Zealand batters’ ability to make shots was a difficulty. However, he was confident that the match may go Sri Lanka’s way if they bowled with accuracy.

The first thing to do is to control the line and length. This wicket has enough if we proceed in that manner. In the back end, the game can pick up speed quite quickly.

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We may be leading the first innings by one or two wickets. If not, we have a little objective to catch up to. Ideally, we can breeze through them and wind up ahead.”