AUS v SL 2019: Sri Lanka ready to replicate India's success in Australia, says bowling coach Rumesh Ratnayake

Ratnayake feels Sri Lanka has the best chance to beat wounded Australia this time.

Ratnayake said Sri Lanka came here with the motto to win Test matches in Australia | Getty Images

Sri Lanka bowling coach Rumesh Ratnayake on Tuesday (January 22) revealed that the Islanders had studied India's tactics closely during their successful Test tour of Australia.

He further added that the Islanders are now looking forward to replicating the same against Australia, as they are gearing up for the two-match Test series here, which will get underway with a day-night Test at the Gabba from January 24 (Thursday).

India’s ability to find reverse swing in the 40th to 80th over period and then retain their wicket-taking threat throughout the life of the ball was the key of their historic Test triumph in Australia and now Sri Lanka wants to do the same against the wounded Aussie side.

Sri Lankan pace attack led by Suranga Lakmal have been told to have faith in themselves to do the same what India did against the inexperienced Australian batting line-up and Ratnayake said his team came here with the motto to win a Test match.

Ratnayake told media ahead of Galle Test, “It's one of the major things we looked at, the areas which they had bowled. It's just making the bowlers believe that whatever their bowlers can do and the other teams can do, we also can do. That belief is something we are trying to work on at the moment.”

He continued, “In batting and bowling, and even in the fielding, the Indians showed the world every place they go to is a home-from-home. I believe we can take that from the Indians. We came here with the motto to win a Test match - we are going to New Zealand, Australia and South Africa so we would love to win a Test match in a country and Australia is one of them.”

Meanwhile, the Coach stressed on the need to be confident while taking the Kangaroos on their home soil, as the hosts would be at their best following their terrible outing against India, saying the self-belief will be the key for the touring side in the Test Series in Australia.

Ratnayake signed off by saying, “I think it is certainly one of the better chances. A wounded Australia is a bit of a mystery in any sport really. We understand that and we know that when they are wounded, they will be at their best.”

(With ESPNCricinfo Inputs)

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 23 Jan, 2019

    Share Via