Concern over middle order

Sri Lanka’s batsmen need to apply themselves better if the team are to avoid a repeat of the middle-order collapse they suffered in Tuesday’s 34-run World Cup victory over Afghanistan, former captain Mahela Jayawardene has said.

Sri Lanka made a promising start in Cardiff and were 144 for two at one point thanks to Kusal Perera’s 78 off 81 balls, but lost four wickets for five runs and were all out for 201 in the 37th over.

Afghanistan spinner Mohammad Nabi took three wickets in a single over to leave the Sri Lankans struggling at 149-5 and Jayawardene said the string of soft dismissals was cause for concern.

“The way Sri Lanka lost wickets... in the middle order is a real concern and there were too many soft dismissals,” he wrote in a column for the International Cricket Council.

“Looking at the wicket... this was never going to be a highscoring game. However, there’s no question that Sri Lanka could have batted better.

“They should have been looking at 250 plus.”

Sri Lankan coach Chandika Hathurusingha said his batsmen were suffering from a crisis of confidence. “When a batsman is in it looked an easy wicket to bat on but we lost one wicket and then we lost three wickets in one over.”

He said getting their first win would help build confidence for the rest of the tournament.

“I’m sure you will see a better team, a better approach from our team after this win. We needed this win badly.”

Sri Lanka next play Pakistan on Friday.

There’s no question that Sri Lanka could have batted better