Atapattu's absence a great loss

SA`ADI THAWFEEQ reporting from Kurunegala

11 November 1996


Losing skipper Marvan Atapattu during the course of the Sri Lanka second innings was certainly a big loss for the home side with out doubt said West Indies 'A' team coach Gus Logie.

''Atapattu's absence represented a big hole in the Sri Lankan batting because he was one of the guys who was not out on 30. Having him out of the squad at this point of time was certainly a big loss no doubt,'' said Logie.

''It certainly put a little gloss over the win. Had he been here, they would have made more than three or four hundred. But when we went out this morning, I think we were in a better position to win the game than Sri Lanka,'' he said.

Overall, Logie said it was a satisfying allround performance from the team. He said the toss was vital and his bowlers exploited the wicket which had a little in it for the faster men.

``Getting Sri Lanka 'A' out for 269 in the first innings really set up this win. Our boys batted very well. They gave a disciplined all-round batting performance and the bowlers stuck to their task,'' said Logie.

The West Indies coach said Cuffy's bowling performance would have improved his future of a recall to the West Indies senior team.

``I thought the wicket played a lot easier than the second innings, but he bowled with a lot of determination, and control and, he stuck with it, he was rewarded with seven wickets,'' Logie said.

He said West Indies had to improve on their fielding where they dropped a few simple catches.

Sri Lanka 'A' team manager cum coach Rumesh Ratnayake gave an assurance that his team would certainly perform much better in the future games against West Indies 'A'.

He blamed his bowlers for not bowling to one side of the wicket, but also acknowledged the fact that his batsmen had to tighten their techniques against fast bowling in the quality of Cameron Cuffy.

Ratnayake said that he would certainly have liked Atapattu to stay back and play in the game, but added ''I would have to listen to the authorities. If they thought that his need was more in Sharjah, I certainly feel that it should be that way. I hope my loss is Sri Lanka's gain''.

Atapattu is expected to be back in time for the third and final test at Matara starting on November 20.

Sanjeewa Ranatunga will lead Sri Lanka 'A' in the second 'Test' at the SSC on November 13 with Ruwan Kalpage as his deputy.


Source: The Daily News

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Date-stamped : 25 Feb1998 - 14:55