SL blames pitch for WC defeat

By BIPIN DANI

Sri Lanka’s Chief Selector and Manager Ashantha de Mel has blamed the pitch for his team’s loss against New Zealand in their ICC Cricket World Cup opening match played at Cardiff, Wales on Saturday. 

“The wicket was very green and there had been eight to nine millimetres of grass on the wicket. Wickets in England during this time of the year are always green and all visiting teams suffer on this wicket. The wicket and the outfield looked the same.” 

However, the Team Management is unlikely to complain to the ICC Management. 

“We can’t blame the ICC on this. We need to learn to bat on thick wickets”. 

“Our captain, though carried his bat through the innings, is very disappointed with the batting”, the Chief Selector further added. 

“The toss was also vital. Even New Zealand batsmen would have struggled had they batted first on this wicket.” 

Sri Lanka will play their second match against Afghanistan on the same wicket. 

“We will have to ensure that we don’t struggle against the Afghanistan team. Their strength is on spin and not on fast bowling and therefore, we are likely to show better against them.” 

The wicket was very green and there had been eight to nine millimetres of grass on the wicket