No margin for error, says Sri Lanka coach

Ford urges side to bounce back against Australia in 2nd ODI today.


Afp January 12, 2013
File photo of Sri Lankan cricketer. PHOTO: AFP/FILE

SYDNEY:


Sri Lanka coach Graham Ford has said that his team will need to be at the top of its game when it takes on Australia in the second One-Day International (ODI) in Adelaide today.


Australia thrashed the tourists by 107 runs in the opener on Friday and Ford insists they will have no margin for error today.

“We always knew we were up against some high-class one-day cricketers,” said Ford, according to ESPNcricinfo. “You just can’t afford to be off your game at all against players of that calibre. I don’t think anything’s changed. I don’t think there’s any sort of intimidation. We know we’re up against a good team. You want to get on the scoresheet. We want to get out and play some good cricket and show that we’re a good team. This game is really, really important.”

Starc out of squad with calf injury

Meanwhile, paceman Mitchell Starc has calf muscle soreness and has withdrawn from the one-day squad.

South Australian quick Kane Richardson has been called up as cover, after Starc picked up the injury during Australia’s opening win in Melbourne. The left-armer took one for 25 off six overs, but his status for the remainder of the five-match ODI series remains uncertain.



The Australians are already without several fast-bowlers due to injury, including Ben Hilfenhaus and Pat Cummins, although James Pattinson and Josh Hazlewood have returned from being sidelined.

“Starc had some mild right calf soreness after the match at the MCG,” said Cricket Australia physiotherapist Alex Kountouris. “Whilst we are not majorly concerned about it, we have withdrawn him from the game. He will be reassessed over the next few days and he is a possibility to play in next weekend’s matches against Sri Lanka if his symptoms resolve.”

Richardson has gained attention following several promising displays both with South Australia and the Adelaide Strikers in the Twenty20 Big Bash League.

“Kane has been called in as cover in the squad due to his impressive form in the limited-over formats this season,” said national selector John Inverarity. “This provides another great opportunity for a young player .” 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 13th, 2013.

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