Sri Lanka interim coach Sanath Jayasuriya has revealed his team’s game plan to dismiss Harry Brook and other England batsmen during the third Test between England and Sri Lanka at The Oval, London. Jayasuriya claimed that frustrating Harry Brook was part of Sri Lanka’s plan.
Harry Brook was dismissed for 19 runs off 39 balls in the first innings of the match. But it was his dismissal that attracted the most attention. Over the course of his innings, the talented right-hander struggled to find his rhythm, which frustrated him.
Harry Brook, a naturally aggressive batsman, failed to find boundaries at regular intervals and hit just one four during his delivery. It was not a typical Harry Brook innings. The on-field umpire had already declared him out earlier after he hit a drive to fast bowler Lahiru Kumara which was caught by wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal.
But he successfully reviewed it to overturn the decision. He was then bowled by fast bowler Asitha Fernando on 12 for a simple catch when he tried to go for Milan Rathnayake. But luck soon ran out for Brook as he was eventually dismissed while trying to hit a drive to Kamindu Mendis at short cover.
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Sanath Jayasuriya explains Sri Lanka’s plan to sack Harry Brook
After the day’s play, Sanath Jayasuriya explained Sri Lanka’s game plan, which paid off. He added that Harry Brook was frustrated that Sri Lanka’s bowlers had bowled to a specific plan for him.
“I was frustrated, yes, because we bowled well, with the right line and length. We went over each and every batsman, just like they go over ours. We know their strengths and we know where we can keep them tense and frustrated,” said Sanath Jayasuriya.
Jayasuriya further claimed that Sri Lanka took advantage of England’s attacking approach by bowling a tight, long line and inducing false shots, which led to the collapse.
“They love to play their shots, so we thought of bowling a tighter and longer line just outside the off stump. When you keep doing that in these conditions, when the ball moves, it’s not very easy,” the legendary cricketer added.
Michael Vaughan advises Harry Brook to be “very careful”
Meanwhile, former England captain Michael Vaughan was not happy with England’s batting and claimed that they are heading towards danger. In an interview with BBC, Vaughan advised Harry Brook to be very careful with his batting.
“England are ultra-aggressive,” Vaughan said. “They go towards danger. If the ball goes the other way, they don’t think about leaving it. That’s their method,” Vaughan said.
“Be careful, Harry Brook. That’s all I’ll say to him. He’s a brilliant player. He’s the best I’ve ever seen. I’m going to play in the style of Kevin Pietersen. He’s an incredible player. But don’t make fun of the game. Be very, very careful,” he added.
Sri Lanka counterattacks with the bat
At one stage England were 261-3 and looked set to make a big score. But they lost 7 wickets for 64 runs in a dramatic collapse that saw them bowled out for 325 runs in their first innings. Earlier, England’s stand-in captain Ollie Pope announced his return to form with a superb 154 off 156 balls.
In response, Sri Lanka found themselves in trouble at 93-5, but captain Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis came to the rescue. By the end of the second day, both batsmen had hit their half-centuries and looked on the verge of major knocks.