Moody demands improvements

Tom Moody © Getty Images

Sri Lanka coach Tom Moody has asked for an improved batting performance from his side when they take on West Indies in the World Cup Super Eight match at Providence Stadium on Sunday.

Moody claimed Lasith Malinga's historic feat against South Africa on Wednesday - when he became the first bowler in international cricket to take four wickets in as many balls - only served to obscure a disappointing effort with the bat.

He described Sri Lanka’s performance against the world’s number one-ranked side as only 30 per cent and insisted his players would be looking for a 100 per cent effort against the host team.

Moody said: "We have reviewed our performance and it was only Malinga’s heroics that made it look so close but we sure as hell could do with a lot better batting performance."

The loss to South Africa gave Sri Lanka’s players an opportunity to reflect, said Moody.

“It told us that there is room for improvement and we are going to improve on that performance.

“We know the areas that we can improve and you will see us improving in those areas.”

Lasith Malinga took four wickets © Getty Images

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Chasing Sri Lanka’s 209, South Africa appeared cruising to victory at 206 for six before Malinga created history to leave them struggling at 207 for nine. It was left to the last-wicket pair of Robin Peterson and Charl Langeveldt to steer their team to victory by one wicket.

Moody insists that despite West Indies’ losses to Australia and New Zealand, he expected them to be tough.

"We know that they are very dangerous and they have beaten some very good teams in recent times,” he said.

“Their backs are against the wall at the moment and therefore we are prepared for a very hard game."

Moody expects supporters to rally behind the home team, although he added “in the end, crowds can’t get wickets or make runs”.

Sri Lanka go into the game with two points which they took from the group stage, a similar position to West Indies who failed to fire against the Australians and New Zealand.

But West Indies captain Brian Lara is still looking on the positive side.

"We are not going into the game as losers, we have played five games in the tournament so far and have won three. This is how we see it.

“We have four more games to play in the Super Eights and it means that we have to win all, so Sunday’s game is crucial for us.

Lara acknowledged that Sri Lanka were playing good cricket and would prove a difficult team to beat.

"We have taken note of how well they are playing and we are hoping to play smart cricket against them."

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Lara said batting was a major concern for West Indies. "We need to get some partnerships early and we have held several meetings to discuss how we approach the next phase of the matches and I can tell you there will be improvements."

Lara said the margin of his team’s losses – by 103 runs to Australia and seven wickets to New Zealand - did not dampen the players’ spirit.

"The guys are still very upbeat. They will be looking to win four straight games and get into the semi-finals. That is the goal and every player wants to play his part in making sure that we accomplish it."