Sri Lanka’s stand-in Test captain Suranga Lakmal said that the hard training they put in ahead of the two Tests against South Africa had paid off when they won the series 2-0 at the SSC grounds yesterday.
Sri Lanka who won the first Test at Galle by 298 runs beat South Africa in the second Test by 199 runs to complete a series whitewash.
“As a team we are very pleased with the result. When we play at home we know that spin will play a part and we have some of the best spinners in the world. We played like a team and I am very pleased with everyone’s contribution. We knew that they will struggle when the ball turns,” said Lakmal.
 Dimuth Karunaratne who was named Man of the Match and Man of the Series receiving his award. |
“We had to be patient during the partnership between De Bruyn and Bavuma. When two players are getting set we should not panic. When the wicket turns you have to be patient and keep bowling the right lengths. That’s what we did. Batting one and half days is not easy,” he said.
Sri Lanka set South Africa a target of 490 to chase in two and a half days and dismissed them for 290.
Theonis de Bruyn and Temba Bavuma provided South Africa with their first century partnership of the series and also became the first batsmen to score over 50.
With Test captain Dinesh Chandimal having to first serve a one-match ban against West Indies in the third Test and subsequently a two-match ban that resulted in him having to miss the South African series, Lakmal who took over the captaincy against West Indies has led his country to three consecutive Test victories.
However he said he didn’t harbour any thoughts of being appointed a permanent Test captain.
“I am only a stand-by captain. Whether I am captain or not I will give my best. Captaincy is a mere word because others also need to contribute for you to win matches. If they decide to give it to me I will take it, but actually I don’t care too much for it. Whoever is the captain I will give my best,” said Lakmal.
DIMUTH’S AIM IS TO SCORE 25-30 CENTURIES
Man of the Match and Man of the Series Dimuth Karunaratne said that his personal goal is to score 20 to 25 Test hundreds and be a match winner for his team.
“South Africa are ranked number two. It is a good series for me. I’ve always wanted to give my best to the team. Once I get a start I will capitalise on it,” said 30-year-old Karunaratne who has 8 Test hundreds under his belt so far.
Karunaratne scored twin fifties in the match and finished with the highest aggregate in the series - 356 at an impressive average of 118.66 inclusive of one century and three fifties to carry away the Man of the Match and Man of the Series awards.
“You have to know what your strengths are when you are playing spin. Theunis de Bruyn for example showed you how to play on wickets that turn. I am sure he would have struggled earlier on in the innings, but once you spend some time in the middle it gets easier,” Karunaratne said.
“He was sweeping well. Used his feet well and that’s the best way to play spin. When you start it is tough, but when you spin time in the middle, you go easy. This wicket wasn’t too challenging to play fast bowling. Danushka and I play for the same club (SSC) things got easier for us as the fast bowlers were operating. They had only a lone spinner and he was left-arm. We used our feet well and we were able to score fifties.”
Karunaratne said the biggest challenge for him as a Test player is to wait for another series to arrive. Sri Lanka’s next Test series is not until November when England come for a three-match series.
“Since the Bangladesh ‘A’ team matches were there I could get back to form for the South African series. To get back the intensity is not easy but I have done that throughout my career. A break is good, but I need to be at the top of my game. If there are any domestic matches I will play them and get ready,” said Karunaratne.
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