India vs Sri Lanka: Bowling Biggest Concern Going Into World Cup, Says Lahiru Thirimanne
Sri Lanka have been hammered in all four ODIs and their bowling has suffered at the hands of the Indian batsmen.
Blaming bowlers for their downfall in the ongoing series against India, Sri Lankan vice-captain Lahiru Thirimanne today said bowling would be their main concern going into the World Cup. (India Aim for Whitewash)
"We have to work on our wicket-taking options and mainly our bowling plan. Our bowlers didn't bowl well, I think that's the main area going into the World Cup," said Thirimanne.
"Our main concern is our bowling in these conditions. It's very hard to contain runs in Indian conditions." (Ranatunga Feels India Tour Has Hurt Sri Lanka's World Cup Preparation)
Bowling being a major worry, the Lankan pacers worked overtime on their line and length at the nets on Saturday.
In the two available practice nets, the Lankans divided them into groups one each for batting and bowling.
The bowlers were asked to hit the good length spot that had a clear demarcation on the strip as it was a bowling-specific training by the former pacer Chaminda Vaas, the bowling coach.
India were just 89/2 in 20 overs but came out firing in all cylinders with Rohit Sharma holding the centrestage in his world record 264 as they set Lanka a mammoth 205 target in the fourth ODI.
Thirimanne further said it would have been a different proposition if they had taken wickets.
"We could not get any wickets that's the main problem. If they have wickets intact they can go after bowlers in the last 10 overs."
Lankans have meekly surrendered the series 0-4 and face a whitewash here tomorrow and Thirimanne said it's getting difficult day by the day.
"Losing four matches in a row is tough in a series but our team spirit is good. The boys are having fun. Team spirit is not a problem but when it comes to the game it's getting very tough because our bowlers are not doing well in these conditions."
The Lankans might be short on practice because of the sudden series but Thirimanne said it should not be an excuse.
"As professional cricketers you have to adapt to the conditions, you have to play well in any given condition.