Unless the Lankan batsmen can learn and quickly adjust to the pace and bouncy wickets here, chances are that they will not stand a chance against a much terrifying South African attack in the two tests that they are down to play.
The wickets here are full of bounce and pace. This probably must be the first time that our batsmen are fronting up to real pace on wickets of this nature.
The bowlers here direct the leather at the rib cage or at chest level and the batsmen at the wicket are at times ducking or weaving for dear life. Most of the batsmen were rapped on the knuckles and were in pain.
The bowlers here are masters at getting the ball to rise off a good length. This they do it consistently and the batsmen are given no respite. True the ball comes on to the bat. But it climbs awkwardly at times the batsmen have no time to pull their bats to safety.
But the Lankans are not unduly worried by this stunning defeat. ``We know that we have to adjust. We are confident that when Test match time comes around we would have got things right'', said skipper Ranatunga who assured me that they will not lack for want of trying in the Tests.
'The wickets are pacy and with more than ordinary bounce. The bounce is consistent and we must learn to cope', said Ranatunga who was keen to get his men to the nets and sort out things before the big games comes around.
Ranatunga was not upset with the defeat. He admitted that if the batsmen had applied themselves a bit more positively, they could have prevented this shocking defeat.
However the skipper was happy with the form shown by out of form batsman Hashan Tillekeratne, paceman Chaminda Vaas, leg spinner Upul Chandana and wicket keeper batsman Romesh Kaluwitharne. He was particularly pleased with the return to form of Tillekeratne. 'Hashan has it in him to come good when the chips are down. I am confident he will carry this form into the Tests', said Ranatunga.
Vaas and Chandana bowled with full of confidence. While Vaas had his inswinger work nicely, Chandana bowled good line and length and was never afraid to give the ball air.
Kaluwitharne had a good game as gloveman and batsman. He is quite a popular figure with the journalists and the spectators here for his acrobatic work behind the sticks and his dazzling batting. His glove work has improved tremendously and his batting is a treat to watch. While batting it would do him a lot of good if he concentrates and makes it a point to stay put at the wicket.
Anyway the Lankans are determined to lift their game and the way they are applying themselves at the nets shows that they will be tougher competitors when the big games come around.
Journalists here and the former cricketers who watched the Under-19 team led by Pradeep Hewage for the World Cup spoke highly of the talent of our junior cricketers and said that it was pity that they did not enter the final. They were amazed at the way the Lankans bundled out the South Africans who were tipped to win the World Cup from the tournament.
The style in which Hewage performed with the bat required that he be here with the national team. That he was not here was a surprise to many South Africans. Hewage won the best batsman's award and Prasanna Jayawardena the best wicket keeper's award.