Sri Lanka’s fast bowling coach Ryan van Niekerk
- “I’ve asked the bowlers to stand up and create something”
Ryan van Niekerk said Sri Lanka paceman Asitha Fernando bowled like “a diesel engine” after taking three of India’s five wickets for 46 runs in 16 overs on the opening day of the second Test between Sri Lanka and India.
Van Niekerk, speaking to the media after play, said the fast bowlers had clear plans and kept their intensity through long spells. “They bowled with great aggression. They kept their speeds up all day. That wicket at the end of the day was really valuable,” he said. “Asitha showed through his spells that he could continue to threaten and take wickets as the day went on.”
“I think Asitha is a bit like a diesel engine. The more he goes, the better he gets and the longer he goes. From his point of view, it’s about putting in the time and bowling a lot. He’s got an incredible skill set and accuracy when he bowls. If we can get him bowling for long periods, that’s the key to his success I’ve seen in my time with him,” van Niekerk added. He noted Asitha had come off a knee injury in the West Indies and missed overs in the one-day series there, so managing his workload has been part of the plan.
Van Niekerk said the bowlers needed mental strength to maintain energy and create chances in these conditions. “It takes a lot of mental fortitude from the bowlers to keep coming back with that same energy and creating opportunities. We’ve created lots of opportunities for ourselves; it’s about being clinical in finishing them off,” he said.
“It’s hard Test cricket against a team like India. You can’t sit on the back foot and just bowl at them. From our side, it’s about bringing the challenge, trying to make sure we can create something. I’ve asked the bowlers to stand up and create something. The verbals are probably an overflow of emotion. I’ll leave that to the match referee to deal with,” van Niekerk said. (Lakbima News)
