Published: Aug 24, 2017, 02:40 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 24, 2017, 02:40 PM (IST)
Ahead of the second ODI, Sri Lanka coach Nic Pothas cleared the air, stating that he is happy with Sri Lanka Cricket and that they have been supportive of everything he has done during his stint. However, he slammed the media for giving a little spin on the statement he had given after India consistently annihilated his team.
Praises for the dispirited players
“Am I angry with the players? Absolutely not. The players work as hard as anyone can ask of them,” Pothas had said last week, giving his boys the credit they deserve.
Too many cooks
Although Pothas has found some silver lining, he blamed that there were ‘too many cooks’. Whether it was the board interfering or any other member who was hindering the process, was, however a bit difficult to decipher: “You do get angry – to say ‘too many cooks’ is probably accurate. You get frustrated.”
Difficult to strategise for an often-changing team
Pothas also blamed the selection committee for making frequent changes to the squad. “When you get consistency within a team of players, you will see improvements in performance. When we’re getting new players every game, it gets very difficult from a confidence point of view. From the player’s point of view it’s very difficult. It’s difficult for us — the coaching staff — to create a strategy.
“You give them a little bit of time — you give them a little bit of love, a little bit of care, and build-up that confidence, you’ll see results quick.”
To be fair to the selectors, however, the team has been plagued with injuries. They have lost key players one after the other.
Plot twist
Pothas immediately made headlines with his statements criticising the selectors, and the sports writers might have misread between the lines.
“Just to clarify things because you guys love a little spin on a good story, I’m very, very happy with the situation with the Board, which has been hugely supportive of everything that I do and the players do. Certainly I have no issues there,” he said ahead of the Pallekele ODI, clearing where he stands with the board.
