Need to work hard with bowling machine – Kusal Mendis

We did not bat very well. There was a chance to get to 300 out there on that wicket but we struggled in the middle overs and lost momentum (in Southampton)

Sri Lanka batsman Kusal Mendis admits that his team is playing catch-up ahead of the World Cup having lost both the warm-up games. The onus is on the batsmen to get used to the English conditions. “We did not bat very well. There was a chance to get to 300 out there on that wicket but we struggled in the middle overs and lost momentum (in Southampton),” Mendis was quoted as saying by ICC media.

“It was a battle and it ruined the plan we had as a team. We did our best from there but we did not score enough runs.” Mendis said they needed to work harder with the bowling machine in order to sharpen up.

“There are faster wickets here than in Sri Lanka and we will be on the bowling machine to get used to the conditions.”

Expressing confidence of turning things around Mendis said: “Angelo Mathews and Lasith Malinga will step it up at the weekend and that will give everyone a lift with bat and ball.”

“We are together as a team and the country is behind us. Now it is up to us to perform,” Mendis signed off.

-AGENCIES