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Siddons gives no excuses

BlSHWAJIT Roy in Chinagong_______
The picture was all clear after the third day's play about what was going to happen in the second and final Test at the Chittagong Divisional Stadium. So everybody was all but confirmed about the outcome of this Test but there was only interest left to see whether the Tigers could show the same sort of
contest, something they did in the second innings In Mirpur only last week.
But they were far away from their impressive first Test efforts to once again prove the critics tag of 'consistently inconsistent' right.
One can't even dream that Bangladesh can win a match by chasing a target of624 but what one can expect is for Bangladesh to show their character so that one can believe in their improvement.
Though it was difficult to play shots as the wicket was not too deteriorated even on the fourth day for what the deadly spin duo Muttiah Muralidaran and Ajantha Mendis could be dangerous but still the Bangladesh second innings was wrapped up for 158 runs in 49.2 overs in two sessions.
There were a lot of curiosity and debate on why Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene took so much time to extend the lead but in the end it proved that two sessions were good enough for the visitors to finish the game with a day in hand.
It was evident that the Bangladesh batsmen were in a hurry
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when they needed to build up the innings at least to take the match into the fifth day and Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful said that it was not possible for them to survive against this attack without playing shots.
“Obviously there was a pressure with the huge target and the spinners also got assistance from the pitch. Our plan was to play session by session but we failed to do that It was actually difficult to survive especially against (Ajantha) Mendis without playing shots," defended the Bangladesh captain of his side's aggressive approach in the second innings.
Despite the most terrible 465-run defeat, Bangladesh skipper saw improvement in his side's performance.
"Congratulations to Sri Lanka. We missed too many chances after the first session on the first day. The wicket was a little slow and it suited them and they have two world-class spinners. We played good cricket in the last Test and are improving. Our main target is to play good cricket and hope we can continue it," said Ashraful.
There were also questions raised about his field placings in the first innings when Sri Lanka were struggling at 74-4 and the little man admitted that he made a mistake to allow Dilshan attack.
"Yes, it was the wrong deci-
sion to attack at that moment,” he confessed.
Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons however expressed sheer disappointment over his charges' performance in the secondTest.
"I am disappointed. I wouldn't have been disappointed if it was a turning wicket that suited their bowlers. I am disappointed with the wicket I saw but I don't think the pitch played a massive role in some of our wickets,” said Siddons.
"After the 400 in Dhaka where everyone including me saw huge improvement in the young guys this was not what was expected. But I still see that six or seven of our first eight batsmen haven't played lOTest matches yet and against two of the world's best bowlers, probably the best bowlers in the world at the moment, it is a tough task,” he added.
The Australian blamed his top order for consistent failure but he was also confident about his side's improvement like his captain.
"They were also a bit overawed I think. Mendis took three wickets in no time and we were again four for nothing.
"I am disappointed that our top four can't consistently make runs and it is always Ash, Shakib and Mushy, the same three trying to save our skins. Disappointed that we didn't show that we are improving although without doubt we are.
Just didn't show that today (Tbesday),” he observed
"There are no excuses for the performance today,” hesaid.
He hoped that these guys will do better when they got the experience and that's why everybody should show their patience.
“They are getting there and I would love to do this all over again in two years time with the same guys and I can assure you that we'll be a much better team,” he said when asked about recent criticism about the Bangladesh'sTest status.
SCOREBOARD
Final scoreboard on the fourth day of the second and final Test between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at the Chittagong Divisional Stadium onTUcsday: SRI LANKA- First innings 384 (Dilshan 162;Shakib4-109) BANGLADESH: First innings 208 (Mashrafe 63; Mendis 4 - 71) SRI LANKA Second innings (overnight 296-4)
Warnapuralbwb Shahadat 27 P Jayawardene c Shakib b Ashraful 28
Sangakkara b Ashraful 54
M Jayawardene c Imrul b Enamul 22
Samarawccra lbw b Shakib 77 Dilshan b Enamul 143
Kapugederanotout 59
Vaasnotout 20
Extras: (b-3,lb-4,w-4,nb-6) 17 Total: (For sixwkts deci in 127 overs) 447
Did not bat Mendis, Fernando, Muralidaran.
Fall ofwickets: 1 -55,2-55,3-123, 4-165,5-310,6-396.
Bowler O M R W
Mashrafe 15 3 53 0
Shahadat 28 3 92 1
Shakib 20 2 79 1
Enamul 36 2 109 2
Ashraful 17 1 56 2
Mehrab 8 0 38 0
Rokibul 10 3 0
Imrul 10 7 0
Tamim 10 3 0
BANGLADESH: Second innings Tamim cP Jayawardene bVaas 17 Imrul cM Jayawardene bMendis 5 ZunaedlbwbMendis 4 Rokibul b Fernando 10
Ashraful cP Jayawardene bMendis 7 Mushfiqurrunout 43
Shakib st P Jayawardene bDilshan 46
Mehrab lbw b Dilshan 5 M ashrafe c M Jayawardene bDilshan 0
Shahadat bDilshan 1
Enamul not out 0
Extras: (lb-5,b-4,nb-11) 20
Total: (All out in 49.2 overs) 158 Fall ofwickets: 1-18, 2-22, 3-32, 4-42, 5-52, 6-144, 7-154, 8-154, 9-156.
Bowler O M R W
Vaas 8 3 16 1
Fernando 12 4 36 1
Mendis 15 4 57 3
Muralidaran 10 0 30 0
Dilshan 4.2 1 10 4
Result: Sri Lanka won by 465 runs and clinched two-Test series 2-0.
M a n - o f - t h e - m a t c h : Tillakaratnc Dilshan.
Man-of-thc-series: Tillakaratne Dilshan.