Blocking out coach drama ‘not easy’
As a 54-test opening batsman, Sri Lanka’s Dimuth Karunaratne is well accustomed to blocking out background noise.
Even so, as the first test against New Zealand approaches at the Basin Reserve, starting today, earmuffs may be required by the newly-appointed vicecaptain.
A fair bit has happened at Sri Lankan cricket headquarters since their 3-0 series defeat to England last month.
Team manager Charith Senanayake walked mid-series after hearing he wouldn’t be required for the New Zealand tour. The selectors were sacked, replaced by a panel headed by another former international Ashantha de Mel, who promptly took aim at captain Dinesh Chandimal for not showing enough initiative on the field.
Former Black Caps coach Steve Rixon was hired as fielding coach and will join them for the second test in Christchurch. Then yesterday, batting coach Thilan Samaraweera was shown the door but will remain in Wellington before being replaced, reportedly, by former Durham head coach Jon Lewis for the one-day series.
As Sri Lanka try to avert a run of five successive test defeats to the Black Caps stretching back to 2012, and improve their record in New Zealand of two wins from 17 tests, Karunaratne said it was tough to block out all the off-field drama.
‘‘It’s not easy – swapping management. We know what we have to do. We have some experience and we know the game plan and everything,’’ he said, standing on the Basin Reserve outfield looking without a care in the world on a warm (for Wellington) summer’s day.
‘‘Normally the management changes, but we’re going to the same basics and everything. It’s not a matter for us. We’re trying to regroup as a team, do our best, and trying to win.’’
Karunaratne will carry the burden along with Chandimal and former skipper Angelo Mathews, who scored an unbeaten century in the warmup game in Napier.
The 30-year-old left-hander scored 152 in the Boxing Day test in Christchurch four years ago, and averages 44 against the Black Caps compared with a career mark of 37.60.
‘‘I know how to play here. I’ve got a hundred in my very first match in New Zealand. I have enough confidence, and I know the bowlers – Boult, Southee and Wagner. We’ve played against them a couple of times.
‘‘I know what they’re going to do, and have some plans as well. I’m pretty confident I can deliver some good knocks here.’’
It’s a year since coach Chandika Hathurusingha took over, six months after the previous coach Graham Ford stepped aside.
In that time Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh 1-0 away, drew 1-1 in the West Indies then beat South Africa 2-0 at home before the England sweep.
There were no surprises in the Basin pitch despite its dark green hue. Karunaratne felt they had the pace attack to trouble New Zealand’s batsmen, too, even if the pace star of the last tour, Dushmantha Chameera, wasn’t as sharp after a layoff.
‘‘We’ve got Lahiru Kumara, who’s bowling quick, as well as Suranga [Lakmal], Nuwan Pradeep and Chameera. We have a big fast bowling unit, so I think they will deliver for us.
‘‘Normally in New Zealand they leave a bit of grass. But it’s not dangerous. It seams and bounces for only a couple of overs. Once we get set we can get big scores. If you check the past records, most of them had big scores. Once you get set you have to get a big one.’’