SPORTS

Wicket got difficult to bat on: Wright

Source:PTI
August 02, 2004 20:35 IST

India may have lost yet another final but coach John Wright had encouraging words for his demoralised players, saying it is 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 to play first in final encounters and the toss plays a vital role," Wright said after the team's arrival in Chennai on Monday.

India lost the final of the Asia Cup by 25 runs to Sri Lanka on Sunday 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 replied, "Yes. It was a gettable target. But it was not going to be an easy target on such a wicket. Certainly, it became difficult to bat on."

Wright 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 first 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 needs a specialist wicketkeeper 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 wicketkeeper 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 decisions 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."

Source: PTI
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