Sri Lanka admits to selection blunder Click here for more on this story Posted: Thursday May 20, 1999 10:52 AM   Ranatunga: "I don't think we can change our style of play, but we need to be a bit disciplined." AP NORTHAMPTON, England (AP) -- Apart from the appalling batting, Sri Lanka's captain admitted that a selection blunder contributed to his team's 89-run defeat at the hands of South Africa. Arjuna Ranatunga said the side should have included an extra fast bowler. He regretted playing a second spinner in leggy Upul Chandana ahead of Eric Upashantha, a medium fast bowler who played in the tournament opener against England at Lord's. In the match Wednesday, Sri Lanka had South Africa down at 122 for 8, but allowed it to recover to 199 for nine with Lance Klusener playing a cameo knock of 52 off 44 balls to shift the balance South Africa's way. Sri Lanka was bowled out for 110. "We gave about 40 to 50 runs extra because we lacked another fast bowler. We played the leg-spinner, and when the ball started moving around I thought the fast bowlers would have had a better chance of getting wickets on this strip," said Ranatunga. "When we won the toss and bowled in the best conditions we thought it was a 160-170 wicket. But we gave those extra runs in the last few overs especially with the spinners going," Ranatunga said. He said Sri Lanka decided to open with Romesh Kaluwitharana instead of Roshan Mahanama because the best way to get 200 runs was to attack. But Kaluwitharana didn't bat well, he said. Ranatunga admitted that his top order has been struggling in England. "I don't think we can change our style of play, but we need to be a bit disciplined. If we try to change our style of batting we will become very ordinary. With no points from two games and three more to play, the Sri Lankan captain was optimistic about his team's chances of qualifying for the Super Six. "We didn't bat as world champions in the two games," he said Sri Lanka's next match is against Zimbabwe at Worcester on Saturday. It will be eliminated from the competition if it loses that match as Zimbabwe, which has beaten Kenya and India, will advance to the Super Six. Victorious South African captain Hansie Cronje said: "When I saw their bowling I thought all we had to do was to get through the first couple of seamers and then cash in against the spinners. "It's always nice when you are 122 for 8 and they don't finish you off," he said. Cronje said Jacques Kallis' three wickets in the first spell was crucial to his team's victory. Asked about the third umpire's decisions that went against South Africa, Cronje said: "The evidence is there on television and I leave it to you gentlemen to make your own conclusions." It was the second time in successive matches that South Africa had fought back from a precarious position to turn the match in its favor. The first was against India when it was down 68 for 3. "As far as I can remember it is the 'never say die' attitude in the South African camp. It is not only in cricket but it goes to all walks of life in South Africa," he said.   Related information Stories CNN/SI South Africa Team Page South Africans refuse to comment on umpiring South Africa bowls over Sri Lanka to win by 89 runs White ball, tight umpiring produce extra extras CNN/SI Sri Lanka Team Page Multimedia Click here for the latest audio and video Search our site Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call 1-888-53-CNNSI. Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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