British commentators annoy Sri Lankan cricket coach

British commentators annoy Sri Lankan cricket coach
Associated Press

Colombo, March 2: Sri Lanka's cricket coach, Dave Whatmore, says he is annoyed with some British cricket writers for their disparaging comments about his side after it beat England by an innings and 28 runs in the first cricket Test.

"There have been some unsatisfactory comments made in the aftermath of Sri Lanka's fantastic victory. Much of the post-match analysis was biased and far too one-sided," Australia-born Whatmore wrote on a cricket website today.

"The English commentators and writers should look closely at the video and they will clearly see that both sides were the victims of bad luck," Whatmore said of several controversial decisions by umpires Peter Manuel of Sri Lanka and AV Jayaprakash of India.

English players said they were the victim of a number of doubtful decisions in the Galle Test earlier this week. "We were particularly annoyed, though, by unfounded accusations," Whatmore said of British media reports calling some of the Sri Lankan players cheaters.

"The Sri Lankan team does not, has not, and will not cynically orchestrate appeals to pressurize the umpires. Yes, mistakes are sometimes made," he said. "You have to understand that in conditions such as those in Galle, where top-class spinners bowl on a dusty wicket, there will always be plenty of bat and pad and leg before wicket inquiries and, for both the umpires and the players, it is often too difficult to know for sure what is out or not," he said.

Match referee Hanumant Singh of India fined four Sri Lankan players 25 per cent of their match fees for excessive appealing. They are Muttiah Muralitharan, Mahela Jayawardene, Russel Arnold and Kumar Sangakkara.

Skipper Sanath Jayasuriya also was warned about his conduct.

Whatmore denied that wicket-keeper Kumar Sangakkara apologized to batsman Michael Atherton for his caught behind appeals, one of which was upheld by the umpire. "This is simply not true. Sangakkara believed he took the catch cleanly at the time and the inconclusive television replays have not changed that opinion since. He certainly hasn't apologized to Atherton," Whatmore said.

"The Sri Lankans are vocal and there is nothing wrong in that. In fact, I would be disappointed if they weren't, as they needed to keep themselves going for three strenuous days in the field. Test cricket is a tough game and I was proud of their efforts.

"These derogatory comments will just make us even more determined to win the series, by the largest margin possible. The players have gained confidence from Galle and will not be relaxing," Whatmore said. "We will be upbeat."

The second Test will be played at the hill station of Kandy from March 7.