We are not here to lose: Sri Lanka coach
May 17th, 2011 - 7:41 pm ICT by IANSLondon, May 17 (IANS) Sri Lanka’s interim coach Stuart Law called England the “best Test team in the world” but warned the island nation could be a “devastating” unit and is here to give its best.
Sri Lanka began the tour with a four-wicket victory against Middlesex. They will play three Tests beginning May 26 at Cardiff.
“It’s no easy task going up against the best Test team in the world at the moment, they’ve had a fantastic 18 months,” Law, who took over from Trevor Bayliss after the World Cup, was quoted as saying in cricinfo.
“We know we are up against it here but we aren’t here to lose. We can match them if we apply ourselves and keep things simple. We can be a devastating team and that’s what we are planning to do. We are here to play cricket the way Sri Lanka play cricket and if we do we’ll be successful.”
Law also made it clear he is looking at a long term relationship with the team.
“At this stage it’s a wonderful opportunity to work with one of the best teams in the world so, yes, I am keen,” he said. “I’ve got this tour to show what I’m capable of.”
Although Sri Lanka have never won a full Test series in England they have embarrassed the hosts before, notably at The Oval in 1998 and again at Trent Bridge in 2006 when they levelled the series.
- Stuart Law named Sri Lanka coach for tour of England - Apr 07, 2011
- Series against England toughest on earth: Sri Lanka coach - May 25, 2011
- Geoff Marsh ends IPL stint to coach Sri Lanka - Sep 23, 2011
- Law doesn't blame Malinga for choosing 'lucrative' IPL over Test cricket - Apr 30, 2011
- Australian pacers can trouble Sri Lanka: Coach Bayliss - Mar 02, 2011
- Sri Lankan cricketers will be monitored during England tour - May 18, 2011
- Vaas, Randiv to cover for Muralitharan, Mathews - Mar 31, 2011
- Muralitharan, Mathews battling to be fit for final (Lead) - Mar 31, 2011
- Vaas, Randiv flying in as covers for Murali and Mathews (Second Lead) - Mar 31, 2011
- 'No one's ever going to replace Murali', says Sri Lanka coach - Oct 29, 2010
- We will look to whitewash India and Sri Lanka: Anderson - May 23, 2011
- Sri Lanka recalls Maharoof as cover - May 24, 2011
- India have to prove they are world's top Test team: Botham - May 26, 2011
- Oz pacers will enjoy bounce of Colombo pitch: Lankan coach - Mar 02, 2011
- Swann says it would be great if England gets No. 1 ranking - May 01, 2011
Tags: cardiff, coach london, cricket, england, hosts, interim coach, island nation, long term relationship, middlesex, play three, sri lanka, test series, test team, trent bridge, trevor bayliss, wicket victory, world cup