Former Head coach Sanath Jayasuriya has explained the selection calls and also spoke about the importance of upcoming South Africa tests.
He has also praised the Kiwis’ approach towards the game during the recently concluded whiteball series.
With a 2-0 series win in the ODIs against New Zealand, Sri Lanka continued their unbeaten streak at home where the side has secured wins over India, New Zealand and West Indies.
After their win in The Oval test in England and a 2-0 series victory against New Zealand at home, Sri Lanka is in third place on the ICC WTC Points table and are one of the contenders for making it to the WTC finals at Lord’s.
With several players of the Sri Lanka test squad are already in South Africa for the all-important Test series, but the side retained Test squad members like Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis and Asitha Fernando for the limited over contest against New Zealand.
The four were eventually rested for the final ODI after Sri Lanka had secured the series after winning the first two games.
Speaking about the selection calls are the part of the balancing act, which ensures that the side continues their winning run while providing adequate rest before the crucial test series.
Sri Lanka head coach Sanath Jayasuriya explains key selection calls ahead of his side’s #WTC25 series against South Africa 🏏#SAvSLhttps://t.co/DrW1jtnWuj
— ICC (@ICC) November 22, 2024
“We were discussing all these options, but we wanted to do well, even in Sri Lanka with the ODIs and T20s,” Jayasuriya said.
“Because we can’t take things for granted even with this New Zealand team. Yes, some of their players didn’t come but they have a good team. They played good cricket here,” he said.
Jayasuriya then explained the call to rest the four for the final game, while also acknowledging that the batters will have a short time to adjust for the upcoming tests.
“So that is why we give some of them to rest on the last game – to come back to Colombo, rest and then go to South Africa. Some of the players may have to adjust themselves as quickly as possible to the situation,” he said.
“So Kamindu, Pathum, Kusal Mendis, those three players need to adjust themselves according to the situations, red-ball and white-ball,” Jayasuriya said.
Jayasuriya added that Asitha Fernando who has 64 test wickets is expected to play a key role in South Africa conditions, had some rest prior to the Tests.
“We gave him a rest in the T20 games, where he had two games off. And after that we got him to play two ODIs and we gave him the third ODI off,” Jayasuriya said.
“So we’re managing him, because he’s the one who’s bowling really well at the moment. We have to look after him,” he said.
Meanwhile Kasun Rajitha has returned to the squad for the South Africa tests. “Of course, we considered those areas (of resting players) with the selectors, but we came to the decision to play everyone in the first two games, and then to see how it goes,” Jayasuriya added.
The first match of the South Africa tests will be begin on November 27 at Kingsmead.
