July 27: Mahela Jayawardene had lunch, tea and looked set for dinner at the SSC before a moment of indecision brought his downfall. The former captain who has recently shifted his residence closer to the SSC proved his might on this surface yet again on the second day of the second Test against India here on Tuesday.
“The first two- three days are pretty good for batting here. Later on it spins a bit. Hopefully we will be able to create chances with turn and bounce,” said a tired looking Jayawardene later.
On his formidable association with Kumar Sangakkara and strategy for the third day, Jayawardene said: “Being a right-left combination, the job for the bowlers was more difficult. We were a lot defensive earlier but now we attack more. We have got the runs on the board. They have some quality batsmen who can bat for long time. We need to make sure that we don’t give them too many opportunities.”
The attack looks balanced. Inexperience could be a factor when the likes of Sehwag get going. Jayawardene acknowledged the fact and noted the hosts need to stick to a particular plan. At a venue where he has scored a record 374, another double hundred beckoned Jayawardene, but the batsman was not perturbed at missing the mark.
“As long as the team target is achieved, I am happy. It was hot and humid and I was tired. We knew more time is required to get India out. With the field Dhoni set, it was difficult for me to score quickly. ” It was a rare day where two of Sir Donald Bradman’s records were erased. Jayawardene’s 10th hundred at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground took him past Sir Donald Bradman, who held the record previously with nine tons at the MCG.
Jayawardene decided to play that fact down. “He has played, what 10 Tests at the MCG. That’s Sir Don for you. I needed 23 Tests. I am pleased that I have got the record but no comparisons. Sir Don is a legend. I love playing in my home ground and I grew up playing here. It’s always been fun to play in front of club members and all the fans. With the record like I said, you have to be very humble when you break a record of the Don,” added Jayawardene.
Left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha noted that the situation could have been different had India won the toss. “On a wicket like this, the maximum we can do as spinners is do the basics right,” he said.