Tharanga says he won't quit despite whitewash

24 October 2017 12:27 pm - 20 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Responding to the 12th straight defeat in ODIs by Sri Lanka Cricket team and being whitewashed by Pakistan, skipper Upul Tharanga said he would take the blame for the defeats but will not quit from the captaincy.

Prior to 2017, in their history of ODI cricket, Sri Lanka had suffered only one 5-0 whitewash. But this year, they suffered three 5-0 defeats.

The team was whitewashed by India in the home series and then on Monday another heavy 5-0 defeat followed at the hands of Pakistan.

"It's the responsibility of the selectors and the board. I don't want to leave the team and go. The board will decide who will take the team forward," Tharanga told journalists, cricbuzz reported.

"As captain, I would like to take the blame for the defeats. The batsmen also need to take a fair share of the blame. We have to score as a team. Batsmen can fail two or three games, but not all five games. It's tough when we don't perform as a team," Tharanga added.

It was Sri Lanka's 12th straight defeat in ODIs and this year, after 26 games, they have won only four matches. Batting has been Sri Lanka's biggest drawback as they have been kept below the total of 240 in the last 12 games. In the series against Pakistan, Sri Lanka were able to go past 200 runs only twice.

"We repeated the same mistakes. In this game, we were four wickets down in the third over and there was no coming back from thereon. In the last 15 to 18 months, we have struggled with our batting and that has been the main reason why we have come up with below par performances."

Out of the top six batters, only two managed to score more than 75 runs in the series and Sri Lanka didn't even come close to beating Pakistan as their margin of defeats suggest. "We had a lot of discussions. We have analyzed what needs to be done. What we have failed to do is to deliver in the middle.

"What is really disappointing is that these were not unplayable wickets. They were very good tracks. We were just not good enough. Today we tried to change the line-up a little by sending Niroshan Dickwella at number five as he is very good against spin, but we just lost too many wickets earlier on," Tharanga added.

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Comments - 20

Emmanuel Tuesday, 24 October 2017 01:17 PM

Wow I appreciate your will power to get ready for another washout, this time may be with Kenya...

Mohan Tuesday, 24 October 2017 05:24 PM

Folks, remember that SL lost to the team which won the champions trophy by beating India. And also SA in SA (See the fate of Bangladesh) and India, who are too good at spinning tracks.

Set Example Tuesday, 24 October 2017 01:40 PM

Yet another example gained from Sri Lanka politicos.

BuffaloaCitizen Tuesday, 24 October 2017 01:42 PM

Now all of your'll have the merits, competency, attitude, professionalism, conduct, experience to join the Sri Lanka parliament.

Mahir Tuesday, 24 October 2017 03:10 PM

Yep, he qualified to be the next common candidate!

Ravi Tuesday, 24 October 2017 01:44 PM

It is apparent that there is no fault of the selection panel. It is the fault of the Coaches and the team management. We should get a New competent head coach and a batting coach. Sack all the selfish players who does not want to take a risk and waste deliveries from the ODI team.

varunadhar Tuesday, 24 October 2017 01:45 PM

Who cares? Who are now interested in Sri Lankan cricket where the glory days have long gone. People in this county have much more pressing issues to grapple with...

citizen Tuesday, 24 October 2017 02:33 PM

Tharanga is lucky to win the Toss only, not the match, very shame they cannot win at least a single match.I am wondering what will happen next month when our team goes to India??

RESIGN WITH PRIDE Tuesday, 24 October 2017 02:38 PM

IN this wonder of Asia - there is no single word called "resigned" - however in some cases it is "RESIGNED WITH PRIDE"

Jagath Leanage Tuesday, 24 October 2017 03:29 PM

The way its going we will loose even to Kenya , Afghanistan , UAE , Ireland , Scotland, Uzbakistan , Kazakastan . They too will win with a whitewash .

Labby Tuesday, 24 October 2017 03:38 PM

In any trade if the worker does not perform he loses his job and with it he loses his salary. Why are things different with these cricketers; paid with tax payers precious money?

Aruna Tuesday, 24 October 2017 03:56 PM

Please then sack the useless greedy shameless fellow. who is very much resemblance to RW in Sri Lanka politics.

joshua Tuesday, 24 October 2017 04:05 PM

yes, SL is not a country where anybody will resign by taking responsibility to a thing that has happened. Just follow the politicians

joshua Tuesday, 24 October 2017 04:05 PM

yes, SL is not a country where anybody will resign by taking responsibility to a thing that has happened. Just follow the politicians

Sri Lankan Tuesday, 24 October 2017 04:13 PM

SL cricket will never evolve unless Tamils and Muslims are given equal opportunity to play in the national team.

Kadmin Tuesday, 24 October 2017 04:31 PM

I don't think anyone depriving anyone no matter religion or language to play in the national team. I hear it is another sour grapes case.

patrick Wednesday, 25 October 2017 08:48 AM

True, and I sand by you!

SENA Tuesday, 24 October 2017 04:24 PM

Whyyy do you have to take the blame for the defeat? The TEAM has failed so there is something wrong AS a team.May be taking the blame for the defeat allows you to remain in the team.

Patrick Wednesday, 25 October 2017 08:27 AM

Whatever said is I don't agreed,but I feel that no minority players are not recruited to the national team is shame !

Roman Wednesday, 25 October 2017 11:09 AM

ok, may be after the next whitewash then, lajjawak kiyala deyak thiyenawanam!

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Tharanga says he won't quit despite whitewash

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