After a dominant display by Glenn Maxwell and Australia in the first T20I of the two-match series that saw them register the all-time highest team total in T20 Internationals – 263/3 – Sri Lanka and their coach, Graham Ford, have been left with plenty to think about. On the top of their bucket list is a way to stop the Australian openers from scoring – as both David Warner and Maxwell have scored a century each in the last two games – which would require an important contribution from their bowlers.
At Pallekele, during the first T20I, Sri Lanka conceded at a run rate of 13.15 runs per over, and five of the six bowlers used in the game had an economy rate that was in excess of 10 runs per over. A large chunk of these runs were scored by Maxwell, someone who has been troubling Ford the most.
“In the first T20, there were a lot of balls that were in the areas that Maxwell would want them to be in. We didn't execute properly,” said Ford.
“We didn't have a superstar like Lasith Malinga in our attack, or someone with more experience. We've thought about a few ways of going about our business differently, but once again it's about execution.”
Our bowlers lack experience: Ford
Looking back at the bowlers’ performance Ford said that the art of T20 bowling, which was to stay out of trouble on a good batting wicket, was missing from the Sri Lankan attack.
“I was surprised by the lack of ability to stay out of trouble on a good batting wicket, which is the art of T20 bowling. Some of our bowlers are very inexperienced. We unfortunately don't get exposed to high-pressure T20 games that much.”
“The (domestic T20) competition here is played in front of no crowd at all. In comparison, ten out of the 11 Australians play the IPL, and they all play the Big Bash League. So the occasion gets to young and experienced bowlers. To practice your skills is one thing but to execute it under enormous pressure is another.”
While the lack of experience when it came to pressure situations did haunt Sri Lanka, no credits must be taken away from Maxwell, who was under pressure after being sacked from the ODI team for the ongoing tour, and yet performed in the manner he did on his comeback to international cricket. Sri Lanka, however, were a familiar opposition for the 27-year-old Australian, as he had scored his maiden ODI century against them as well during the 2015 World Cup in Sydney.
“If you look at Maxwell's career, on his day, even the best of bowlers can't contain him. He had a fantastic day out. The pressure that he creates when he is hitting the ball that well leads to bowlers bowling those loose deliveries.
“It's about pressure. He has gone out and hit the ball amazingly well and hopefully he will not do well again,” Ford hoped.
Dilshan a legend of the game: Ford
Also, the second T20I would be the last time that the Sri Lankan legend, Tillakaratne Dilshan, would play an international game. The 39-year-old had a subdued outing in Pallekele wherein he scored just 4 runs and did not take any wickets or catches. He would be hoping to bow out on a high in Colombo.
Talking about the farewell, Ford quipped, “Look, Dilshan has been a wonderful man. He had just lost the captaincy when I first got involved with the team. He came to Australia and played amazingly well and really committed to the team's cause. I have had wonderful support throughout from him.”
“It's wonderful to have his energy and commitment and the vast knowledge that he passes on. It's very sad to see such a legend of the game finally calling it a time. For me it's a privilege to have been involved, been able to witness his exploits first-hand.
“He can be extremely proud of what he has done over the years, and certainly goes down as one of the greats of the game.”
The second and the deciding T20I of the series is scheduled to be played on September 9 at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
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