Sri Lanka’s batting failure down to lack of execution, says Grant Flower

Failure to execute skills during matches is the reason behind Sri Lanka’s ongoing woes with the bat, the team’s batting coach Grant Flower said.

“When they are in the middle it looks like a mental thing. It looks like they are freezing, but in the nets they are fine. There is no lack of attitude or hard work. Its lack of execution of skills. They are under pressure, I’m under pressure, but that’s how cricket is,” Flower told reporters in a virtual press conference on Thursday (May 27), ahead of the third ODI.

Flower expressed his disappointment at the way his team had batted, failing to chase targets of 258 and 247 as Sri Lanka suffered their first-ever ODI series loss against Bangladesh. 

“There are a lot of things (for the batting failure). Not putting away bad balls, struggling against seamers and spinners. We’ve not been good enough,” he said.

Flower said there will be changes in the playing XI on Friday (May 28), with senior wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella set to keep wickets in the third ODI.

“There will be a quite a few changes. I think there is a good chance that he (Dickwella) will play tomorrow. We have a good keeper in Kusal (Mendis), but I think he will be considered for the match tomorrow,” the former Zimbabwe all-rounder said.

Flower also praised Mushfiqur Rahim, who scored match-winning knocks of 87 and 125 in the first two ODIs, saying Lankan batsmen can take inspiration from him. 

“The way Mushfiqur (Rahim) changes his approach is fantastic. He is not a big hitter of the ball, but  is a good manipulator of the situation. I think the boys can learn from him,” he said.

Flower felt that the newcomers will have to adjust quickly to the international game as they are set to face England at home in June which will be followed by India’s tour of Sri Lanka in July.

“I think there will be a couple of changes for the England series because they are very difficult in home conditions and then we have India at home. Even though it’s not their best team, but they still have a lot of quality. That’s what international cricket is all about, you have to adjust quickly to the demands,” he said.