Jayasuriya - 'it was only a matter of time'
Quotes from Sri Lanka's Asia Cup victory over Bangladesh
Charlie Austin
23-Jul-2004
Sanath Jayasuriya on his return to form
It was a very good feeling and a big relief because I had been through a hard time. But I knew I could come back and do something for Sri Lanka cricket and I am very happy to have done that on a special occasion like this. I knew that I just needed 20 or 30 runs. When I got to 30 I told myself to stay there and get as much as possible. This must have been the worst period that I have been through in my career.
It was a very good feeling and a big relief because I had been through a hard time. But I knew I could come back and do something for Sri Lanka cricket and I am very happy to have done that on a special occasion like this. I knew that I just needed 20 or 30 runs. When I got to 30 I told myself to stay there and get as much as possible. This must have been the worst period that I have been through in my career.
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I must always go out there and play my natural game. But that way I might always get out early because I am always looking to attack. That is how I have played my cricket over a number of years. If you look at my career I have been through similar bad patches before.
During the last two matches I got to 20 and then got out. I don't believe in batsman getting 20s or 30s and then getting out. It doesn't work for the team. If you get a start you must go on. So that was a problem. When you get to the 20s and 30s you need to concentrate harder and that is what I tried to do today.
Marvan Atapattu on whether Bangladesh had changed since the 2003 World Cup
Yes, in their approach. They had something in their mind while they batted. They way they batted up to the 35th over showed that they wanted to have wickets in hand and they succeeded in getting about 100 runs in the last 15 overs. So there was definitely a plan there.
Yes, in their approach. They had something in their mind while they batted. They way they batted up to the 35th over showed that they wanted to have wickets in hand and they succeeded in getting about 100 runs in the last 15 overs. So there was definitely a plan there.
On Jayasuriya's form slump
People were trying to give me headaches about him but I never had a headache about him. It was always on the cards and we all knew it was just a matter of time. We all know his talents. WE all know that everyone goes through patches like this. Look at Damien Martyn in the last series against India, when I don't remember him passing 10, but they kept faith with him and he is one of the most consistent scorers today. We have to understand that it happens to everyone and this is the time when we have to support the guy.
People were trying to give me headaches about him but I never had a headache about him. It was always on the cards and we all knew it was just a matter of time. We all know his talents. WE all know that everyone goes through patches like this. Look at Damien Martyn in the last series against India, when I don't remember him passing 10, but they kept faith with him and he is one of the most consistent scorers today. We have to understand that it happens to everyone and this is the time when we have to support the guy.
On Sri Lanka's standing in the Asia Cup
Our first aim was to get to the second round and then the finals, which is a big thing playing in our home conditions. We have now virtually got there but we can't let things just flow. Personally I think there is something different in people's approach and attitude when we are on the field or batting or in the dressing-room.
Our first aim was to get to the second round and then the finals, which is a big thing playing in our home conditions. We have now virtually got there but we can't let things just flow. Personally I think there is something different in people's approach and attitude when we are on the field or batting or in the dressing-room.
Things are so different. Everyone has lifted themselves up and geared themselves to do well here. I just want to continue with that
if we can. So for the next match against the Indians - although we might give a chance to the youngsters - we will try to get the morale high.
Habibul Bashar on Bangladesh's performance
I am really not happy with our performance. This Asia Cup has been very disappointing for us. In the last three games I have not been happy. Our potential is much better than we are playing now. In all our matches we are losing wickets in the first 15 overs. This is a big problem for us. And today we didn't bowl well too.
I am really not happy with our performance. This Asia Cup has been very disappointing for us. In the last three games I have not been happy. Our potential is much better than we are playing now. In all our matches we are losing wickets in the first 15 overs. This is a big problem for us. And today we didn't bowl well too.
Looking ahead to the future
The Asia Cup is almost over for us but we have got the ICC Champions Trophy coming up and then back-to-back Tests in Bangladesh. We now have to start planning from these mistakes. We need to improve in both our batting and bowling and do it together. I am not sure what the reasons are because we have been trying really hard and training hard - hopefully though we will learn from this.
The Asia Cup is almost over for us but we have got the ICC Champions Trophy coming up and then back-to-back Tests in Bangladesh. We now have to start planning from these mistakes. We need to improve in both our batting and bowling and do it together. I am not sure what the reasons are because we have been trying really hard and training hard - hopefully though we will learn from this.