‘Disappointed’ Lankan coach Fords says ‘bowlers lack firepower’

Sydney: Sri Lankan coach Graham Ford has expressed disappointment over the poor form of his players and believes they lack the ‘firepower’ after they faced a crushing blow in the first Test by Australia.

After two days of play, the tourists are finding the going tough on 4-87 in reply to the home side`s 5-450, with spin sensation Rangana Herath taking 0-75 from 26 overs in Australia`s first innings. “It was disappointing. Australia put us under a lot of pressure and they batted superbly well and got the runs on the board. They came out with the ball and put us under a lot of pressure and perhaps we weren`t quite up to it today,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Ford, as saying. "It was a good declaration because it put us under pressure prior to tea. We sort of have a mind-set that they might try to get 500,” he added. Ford said he didn`t feel there were any demons in the pitch, but admits his bowling attack can`t match Australia`s, the paper said. "We haven`t got the kind of attack that just really blows batsmen away. We didn`t really have the firepower to get through his (century-maker Mike Hussey`s) defences,” he said. The tourists are pinning their hopes of a fightback on opener Tillakaratne Dilshan, who``s unbeaten on 50, the paper added. "Dilshan has shown if you get yourself into good positions you can handle what`s coming your way. It`s still going to take a lot of character and a big fight tomorrow,” Ford said. ANI