Nagpur, Nov 27 (PTI) An angry Sri Lanka interim coach NicPothas today said that his players should be embarrassed oftheir innings and 239-run defeat at the hands of India in thesecond Test.
Pothas made it clear that there is bound to berepercussions as plans have not been executed and some seniorplayers like Angelo Mathews need to do some soul searching.
"It is hugely disappointing because of the amount of workethics that goes in behind the scenes. It is embarrassing(defeat). Players should be embarrassed with their ownperformances. Net practice means nothing if you don't get outand put runs on the board," Pothas' answer was in reference toSri Lanka's scores of 205 and 166 in both innings of thematch.
"You can talk all that you want to and plan a lot but atthe end of the day you've got to execute plans. As a player,your currency is runs, wickets and catches. You can do all youlike but if you are not producing them, obviously there willbe repercussions. That's the world of professional sport."Pothas urged senior pro Angelo Mathews to do some soulsearching as he can only come up with solutions to hiswretched form as Sri Lanka lost fourth time to India insidethree and half days in the last five Test matches.
Mathews, who was expected to shoulder the burden ofnational team post Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara'sdeparture, has scored a meagre 537 runs in 20 innings in hislast 10 Tests at an average of 26.85.
"I have been only in place for six months and Angiehasn't played a lot of Test match cricket prior to one ofthese games. But you can count on numbers over a period oftime.
"Your numbers will tell you a pretty good story aboutwhere you stand. You can look at yourself and ask what have Idone," Pothas' reply made it clear that there are concernsabout the veteran all-rounder's form.
Pothas hoped that Mathews would be able to sort out histechnical issues after sessions with batting coach ThilanSamaraweera.
"It is tough when you are not playing continuously,especially to try and strike a rhythm when you do make acomeback. We have got Thilan Samaraweera as our batting coachwith a good track record.
"I am sure he will sit down with Angelo and work thingsout. Angelo is a quality international cricketer and he ishurting at the moment because he takes immense amount of pridein his game.
"I have no doubt that with his ability he will come upwith some answers. As coaches, we need to provide him with thebest environment as possible in order for him to make the bestchance." PTI KHS AHAH.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.