Published: Jun 19, 2016, 10:16 AM (IST)
Edited: Jun 19, 2016, 10:16 AM (IST)
Ireland coach John Bracewell criticised his side for an “unforgivable” failure to use pre-match research after they were thrashed by Sri Lanka in the second One-Day International (ODI) at Malahide. Losing the first match to Sri Lanka by 76 runs (D/L method), Ireland were expected to return back into the two-match ODI series but their bowling failed twice and this time they gave in excess of 350 runs while fielding which made matters worse. They lost the second ODI by a whopping margin of 136 runs to hand over the series to Sri Lanka 2-0. Bracewell was obviously disappointed from his boys and was vocal in expressing his concerns. Full Cricket Scorecard: Ireland vs Sri Lanka, 2nd ODI at Dublin
According to espncricinfo.com, he said, “They played smarter than us and we need to smarten up”, reflecting on Seekkuge Prasanna‘s 46-ball 95 at number three. He further added, “To go and explore a guy when we have got the notes is, in my opinion, a little bit unforgivable.” IRE vs SL 2016, Full Cricket Updates, 2nd ODI at Dublin
Speaking after his side’s dismal performance to outsmart Prasanna in the series final, he said, “We had good notes on him, and our notes showed that he could hit exactly where he did, and we were slow to react. And by the time we did react, seven overs were gone and 100 runs were added – and that cost us any chance of winning the match.”
A number of Ireland players only arrived for this series late on Tuesday after playing for their counties, but Bracewell did not use this as an excuse. “It is not adequate but that’s the world we live in,” he said.
Reflecting of his players’ lackluster performance and careless attitude, he said, “Guys have got to do their own preparation. We have got stats guys and the players know their email address. They could have asked ‘Can you send me some stuff on (Angelo) Mathews?’ How many of them did? None of them. It is something they need to wake up to.”
On the flipside, talking about the positives form the short series, he was impressed by the debut series of Barry McCarthy and Andy McBrine’s 79 from number eight. “He has street cunning, he learns on the job. From each game you know he is taking away packages”, Bracewell, in conclusion, said he already viewed McBrine as “a batting all-rounder.
