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Sri Lanka v India, 3rd Test, PSS, Colombo, 2nd day
Review system is a blessing for bowlers - Bayliss
Sa'adi Thawfeeq in Colombo
August 9, 2008
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Bayliss: "I think the review system might be a little bit of a comeback for the bowlers. There will be more outs than not outs"
© AFP
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Trevor Bayliss, Sri Lanka's coach, has said the review system has been effective in giving the bowlers some respite in a batsman-dominated game, but cautioned that the system itself needed to be examined before it is used on a regular basis.
Speaking at the end of the second day's play at the P Saravanamuttu Stadium today, Bayliss said: "Everyone says the game is a batsman's game. I think the review system might be a little bit of a comeback for the bowlers. There will be more outs than not outs. All the bowlers should be pretty happy that the review system is in place.
"We've had a number decisions turned around in our favour. The other way of looking at it is sitting here and complaining about seven or eight wrong ones. In fact we had those turned around. I think it's doing its job. There are one or two areas that have to be cleaned up a little bit. But from our point of view we are reasonably happy the way it has gone."
Commenting on the state of the game, with his side gaining a lead of two in the first innings with four wickets in hand, Bayliss admitted there was still plenty of work to be done.
"It was a tough day of Test cricket tomorrow will be the same," he said. "Obviously we'll be looking at getting as many runs in front as we possibly can and then bowl them out again. The track has got a little bit of turn but it's not difficult. If you apply yourself once you get in and you are confident and positive it's not impossible to score runs."
Bayliss praised Kumar Sangakkara for his unbeaten 107 which held the innings together.
Sangakkara had a rather quiet series prior to this knock, with scores of 12, 68 and 1, but Bayliss was confident he would strike when it really mattered.
"Sanga held our innings together all day long. We needed someone to anchor the innings and that's exactly what he did today. The concentration he shows, batting for long periods of time is what makes him world class. He showed that out there today in difficult conditions. For a quality player like that who is striking the ball well it wasn't too long before he scored runs."
He was equally appreciative of Chaminda Vaas, who scored an important 47 as a nightwatchman. "This is not the first time he has done it. He not only took the shine and hardness off the ball for the rest of the players but also went onto make some handy runs as well. He plays the quicks very well, watches it very closely and is probably one of the best watchers of the ball in our team."
Zaheer Khan, the Indian seamer who took 2 for 57, felt the game was evenly poised.
"A few decisions went here and there and we were really giving up," Zaheer said. "It could have gone either way from there. We are definitely going to give more than 100%.
"It's a good Test match wicket. If you are a batsman you have to really concentrate hard to get going. We waited for the batsmen to make mistakes. We want to get them out as early as possible without giving them a big lead. The first session is crucial tomorrow. From there we have to bat really well and put up a good total so that they have to bat last on the track."
© Cricinfo
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