'It is very difficult to predict the outcome of the third Test'

With Ravichandran Ashwin and Amit Mishra tormenting Sri Lankan team in the first two Tests, former captain Sanath Jayasuriya feels that the newer crop of batsmen emerging from the island nation have not done proper assessment of their ability to handle quality spinners. 

Asked if there is some kind of technical deficiency in current Asian batsmen, who were considered to be good players of spin bowling, the dashing left-hander said,"I think Sri Lankan batsmen are struggling more against spin. We think we are good at spin but we are not. Also it's because both the
sides have quality spinners."

"If India have Ravichandran Ashwin, Amit Mishra and Harbhajan Singh, then Sri Lanka also have Rangana Herath and Tharindu Kaushal. Herath you see has been key to Lanka's success in the recent series so far," Jayasuriya was speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of the start of season two of the STAIRS School Football League at the Thyagraj Sports Complex. 

Jayauriya specially mentioned Ashwin's name, who has now taken 17 wickets from two Tests with two five-wicket hauls. 

"Ravichandran Ashwin really bowled well. That he is developing into a good bowler, it's the record that speaks for him. He knows his strengths and bowls to his field and is more consistent. He also bowled in the right areas.

"So obviously he is improving," Jayasuriya said. Trailing the three-match series 0-1, India came from behind to humble the hosts by 278 runs in the series-leveling win and also deny Kumar Sangakkara a fairytale ending in his swansong. Jayasuriya credited India’s batting for the turnaround. 

"Sri Lanka won the first Test and India did well to comeback and level the series. India have displayed a very good batting performance. Also they bowled well to get Sri Lanka out to about 300 runs. They fought back well to play well in the second innings. Virat and company batted well to outwit the bowlers, especially Ajinkya Rahane, who got a hundred in the second innings," said Jayasuriya, whose highest Test score of 340 was against India.

With the series evenly poised, Jayasuriya predicted a sporting track for the third Test at SSC. 

"It's a tough series to call. Very difficult to predict the outcome of the third Test match but rest assured that both the sides will play quality cricket and give it their all. SSC has a very good pitch. 

"It has a bit more bounce and spins later on. But I haven't seen the wicket of late. We always prepare a sporting wicket, so expect a good Test match," he said.