Sri Lanka captain Lasith Malinga was critical at his batsmen for another familiar collapse on the batting-friendly Port Elizabeth wicket after being thrashed out by South Africa in the fourth One Day International of the five-match ODI series on Wednesday (13 March).

With Wednesday’s defeat of 6-wicket at St George's Park Cricket Ground, Sri Lanka went down 0-4 in the five-match ODI side and Malinga said his teammates again and again didn't realize the value and the opportunity, doing the similar mistakes that cost the matches here.

In the fourth ODI, Islanders even could not manage to stay in the match for 40 overs as, Isuru Udana (29) and Kusal Mendis (21) were the only batsmen who managed to cross the double figures, thanks Isuru Udana’s 78 that power the tourists 189 and Malinga was disappointed with their approach saying they have to understand their own value on the international scene.

Malinga told media at the post-match conference on Wednesday, “You can't say much. We are going on the same path. The wicket was very suitable for the bat, but the batsmen didn't realize the value and the opportunity to play long innings.”

The pacer continued, “Being six down inside 18 overs, it's very hard to come back. We always talk about taking responsibility and putting our hands up to bat through the full 50 overs, but the last few years, we've been struggling to do that.”

While the skipper believes that playing South Africa before the World Cup is healthy for the Islanders to check their stand but he urged his team to realize their value to prepare for the showpiece event.

Malinga signed off by saying, “Before we get to the World Cup, we have to realize that and get there. Some people don't realize their value and do their job for the national team. This is a good, tough side to play before the World Cup. All the players need to realize these are the conditions we need to prepare for at the World Cup.”

(With Omnisport Inputs)