Importance of maintaining a healthy run rate or keep on increasing till the end

Please note that our run rate in the last match was decreasing after 30 overs. We have to design a very good plan for the entire batting unit to increase the run rate after 30 overs. We had a good start. We can not ask for more from the top order than today. However the top order delivered, in the middle the entire unit lost the momentum. Kusal Janith was not fit after he scored 100. These days batsmen have to carry on after 100 by turning them into big innings like 175 or 150+.

Otherwise definitely you will loose the momentum. Thisara Perea did not bat well. He got out very easy manner. Angelo batted really well. Also Dananjaya scored wisely. But we can not pin point individual players. Our entire coaching unit , batting coach and the captain should stress this point to the entire squad. How to bat these 50 overs.

Teams like England, India or Australia scores heavily in last 10 overs. They score atleast 80 runs minimum. They run 2’s heavily and apply pressure on fielders. And score sixes and fours regularly. So we hope our batters will decide how to score with healthy run rate in the death.Thirimanne and Mathews struggled a bit between overs 35 to 41. Because we lost 2 wickets withing two overs.

However we have to score with “no fear” attitude. Angelo and Thirimanne had no confidence on the low order batters so they batted with extra carefulness. We can include Dasun Shanak in next two games. So we can increase the rate at the death. But we can’t depend too much on him  because he is not consistent yet.

Possitives

1. Kusal Janith 100
2. Dimuth batted well with Kusal and had a good partnership
3. Kusal mendis today batted well
4. Angelo batted well
5. Dananjaya batted well

Negatives

1. The way Dimuth got out
2. Kusal Janith’s fitness after scoring 100
3. Thisara getting out playing a bad shot
4. batted defensively during middle overs after Kusal Janith’s wicket
5. Not increasing the run rate after 35th over