'We gave away some easy wickets' - Chandimal

Andrew Fidel Fernando in Port Elizabeth

Dec 27, 2016, 06:29 PM

Although Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Perera and Kusal Mendis were all dismissed playing expansive strokes against the new ball, Dinesh Chandimal said there had not been a concerted plan to be aggressive - it just happened that way.

The first three dismissals, in particular, caused consternation, after Sri Lanka began their innings what was still a seam-friendly Port Elizabeth pitch. In pursuit of South Africa's 286, Sri Lanka soon slipped to 22 for 3. Kusal Perera's attempted cut to a Vernon Philander delivery came in for particular criticism.

SA looking for 80-plus lead

Vernon Philander would like to see Sri Lanka's last three wickets fall for 25 runs at most to ensure South Africa take a sizeable advantage. "A lead of 80-plus will put us in good stead," Philander said, admitting that South Africa fell short of what they were looking to total.

"We were always looking at 300 plus but we knew if we strung a few good overs together, we could pick up a few wickets this morning. We knew it was going to be tough scoring here - it's always tough in PE."

High humidity and an easterly breeze assisted Philander and Kyle Abbott in finding movement. "The wicket asked of us to be patient. We were trying to expose a bit more outside edge or caught behind than lbws. We knew there was a little bit to work with. Sometimes it did a bit too much."

Kagiso Rabada struggled on the same surface. "The wicket suited myself and Kyle a little better," Philander said. "KG offers pace which makes it easier for batsmen to score. His natural length is also a little bit shorter than myself and Kyle."

"There was no specific plan to score fast," said Chandimal. "We know that that we use Kusal Perera to score quickly, but unfortunately he got out early. This is a tough wicket to bat on. We did make some mistakes and gave them some easy wickets. We need to fight back tomorrow and get as close as we can to their score."

That Perera bats at No. 3 is partly due to Chandimal's own place in the team. Both he and Perera are wicketkeeper-batsmen, but Chandimal is the more accomplished gloveman, and takes that role when he is fit. If Chandimal were to bat further up the order, Perera would likely move down to No. 6 or 7.

"Since Kusal is playing at No. 3, I am given the wicketkeeping duties," Chandimal said. "I can't bat that high because otherwise I'd be tired from keeping. We've given some opportunities to the young guys in our team, and they didn't take them today, but hopefully they will in the second innings."

Dhananjaya de Silva played Sri Lanka's most assured innings of the day, and remains not-out on 43 alongside Dushmantha Chameera. De Silva is an opener for his first-class side, Tamil Union Cricket Club, and has also been talked about as a potential opener or No. 3 batsman, given his experience in the top order. Sri Lanka have, however, been reluctant to move him from the lower-middle order where he presently averages over 60.

"Dhananjaya is an opener, but we have a settled opening combination," Chandimal said. "He's also very good when it comes to batting with the tail. If he can get us a few more runs, it will give us some momentum."