|
We're better off batting first: Wright
 Chennai,
Aug 3: India may have lost yet another final but coach John Wright had
encouraging words for his demoralised players, saying that it was just a matter
of fine-tuning certain aspects of the game to be able to win these high pressure
matches. Wright said although the target of 229 was achievable it was difficult
to bat on the track with the ball coming on to the bat slowly. "It is a
matter of winning those games. We lacked little things like fielding in the end
and missed chances here and there. I think we are a much better team if we play
first in final encounters and the toss plays a vital role," Wright said
after the team's arrival here yesterday.
India lost the final of the
Asia Cup by 25 runs against Sri Lanka last night, suffering their 10th defeat in
13 finals in tournaments involving more than two teams. Asked whether 229 was an
achievable target, the former New Zealand captain said "Yes. It was an
achievable target. But it was not going to be an easy target on such a wicket.
Certainly it became difficult to bat on." The coach gave full credit to Sri
Lanka for the victory saying the hosts bowled very well on the track. "Let
me put it down that there were two factors (for the loss). They bowled very well
and certainly the wicket was lot harder to bat on. You got to give credit to
them that they bowled well on it. They had a smooth total and played very well
in the firs 15 overs. We did not bat as well as we can."
On whether dropping Kumar
Sangakkara's catch cost India the match, Wright said "I think that was one
of the reasons. But it was not an easy chance." Sangakkara was dropped by V
V S Laxman at first slip when he was on six and then went on to score a 82-ball
53 and also built a partnership of 116 runs with his skipper Marvan Atapattu for
the third wicket. Asked whether the team needed a specialist wicket-keeper for
one-day internationals, Wright said the new selection panel in September may
look into the situation.
"Probably once a new set
of selection panel is set in September they might take a look at the situation.
But we need to start planning right now for it so that the balance is made up
and you do not go back to 2003." The Indians had asked Rahul Dravid to
double up as a wicket-keeper just ahead of the 2003 World Cup to lend more depth
to the batting line-up. The Indian coach also parried a question on whether the
team should have fielded two specialist spinners in the final. "Sourav
makes decision of his as to what type of attack he wants. To be honest, both (Virender)
Sehwag and (Sachin) Tendulkar have done the job well in the earlier match. They
really did an outstanding job. It was vice-versa in the final but they did a
pretty good job in restricting them to 228." (Our Correspondent)
Published: Tuesday, August 03,
2004
|
