We’ve set no target yet: Jayawardene

Jayawardene said he had not yet decided what run-target to set for India after taking control of the first cricket Test.

Skipper Mahela Jayawardene said he had not yet decided what run-target to set for India after taking control of the first cricket Test on a batting friendly wicket at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo on Thursday.

After almost a day and a half’s play in which three home batsmen scored centuries to propel the team to 422 for four, Jayawardene said the team was just concentrating on making runs at a good pace.

“We have not set a target yet. We will bat normally and make runs at a good run rate. There will be a time when we’ll need to set the target,” he said after the second day’s play in the rain-affected opening Test.

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“We lost quite a bit of time (on the first day) but we’re catching up by making good runs,” he added.

Jayawardene appeared confident of clinching the match as he felt the two spinners would prove quite handful for them.

“We have two good spinners (who can do the job for us).” The skipper lavished praise on Thilan Samaraweera (111 not out) and Malinda Warnapura (115) for posting big knocks.

“Thilan and Malinda batted well. They took the pressure off me,” he said.

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About his own stint, Jayawardene (136), who equalled Australian Don Bradman’s record of scoring nine centuries at a single venue of MCG, said, “He was used to batting at the SSC”.

“It’s a very good wickets and has very good bounce. It has slowed down a bit but you get runs on a batting friendly track, especially when u get a wicket like this,” he said.

On the umpire’s referral system, Jayawardene said it was a good system but felt it would still be improved upon.

“I am a big fan of the umpire’s referral system. Umpires have to be happy about it. But it’s going to be improved upon with time,” he said.