Bury batting demons, Moody tells Sri Lankans by CricketArchive staff reporter

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Player:	TM Moody
Event:	Sri Lanka in England 2006

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DateLine: 4th June 2006

 

Sri Lanka coach Tom Moody has told his team to bury their batting demons and salvage some pride in the third Test against England. The former Aussie all-rounder insisted that the third and final Test was there for the taking with the tourists 47 runs ahead going into the third day at Trent Bridge on Sunday.

 

England lead the series 1-0 with Sri Lanka having posted below par first-innings totals in all three Tests. Moody demanded that his top order give Muttiah Muralitharan enough runs to bowl at to help them square the series in what could be the legendary off-spinner's last Test in England.

 

"Now is the time to strike," Moody told reporters after stumps on Saturday. "It's there for the taking if we're prepared to knuckle down and do the hard work. We're overdue a decent total from our top order. The guys recognise that at times they have let themselves down and the side too.’’

 

Moody added, "Sunday's a great opportunity for them to put their hands up, make amends and get us a decent total. It would be nice for the attack to have something on the board to bowl to on the fourth or fifth day. We've come over here to win. We haven't played the most consistent cricket but we've got a chance here to rectify a few things," said Moody was also lavish in his praise for Lasith Malinga who unnerved the hosts with his slingshot deliveries. "He's a unique bowler," Moody said. "He's not going to get his wickets through line and length and patience, which is the traditional way of taking wickets. He's wild and wonderful.’’