Malinga tears into Sri Lanka's batsmen for collapse in second ODI against South Africa

Sport360 staff 17:35 08/03/2019
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Malinga was not a happy man following the crushing loss.

    Skipper Lasith Malinga has come down hard on the team’s batsmen following Sri Lanka‘s 113-run loss in the second ODI against South Africa at Centurion on Thursday.

    Following an excellent stand (97) between South Africa openers Reeza Hendriks and Quinton de Kock, Sri Lanka’s bowlers had fought back hard to ultimately bowl the hosts out for 251 runs at Centurion. This included a dramatic collapse for the Proteas where their last six wickets fell for just 31 runs.

    However, the visitors failed spectacularly with the bat in the chase of 252 and were bundled out for just 138 runs to hand South Africa a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

    Venting his frustrations at the batsmen following the loss, Malinga said, “I think they (batsmen) didn’t understand.”

    “I feel this is not a gift. They have talent. That’s why they’re playing for the national team. They have to understand that. They have to understand their own value,” the veteran pacer continued.

    A sorry effort by Sri Lanka's batsmen at Centurion.

    A sorry effort by Sri Lanka’s batsmen at Centurion.

    The 35-year-old has urged his men to realise the importance of representing the national team and asked them to seize the opportunities they have been given.

    “We have done enough talking,” he said.

    “Players have to realise they have to value these opportunities. They don’t come around every day. They have to grab it.”

    Sri Lanka had earlier been thrashed by eight wickets in the first ODI held at Johannesburg. The third ODI between the two sides takes place at Durban on Sunday. The tourists will be hoping to break their losing streak of five consecutive ODI defeats as they look to keep the five-match series alive.

    Recommended