Chaminda Vaas believes England's batsmen must be more patient if they are to salvage a drawn series against Sri Lanka in Colombo.
Former Sri Lanka paceman insists England must show discipline
Former Sri Lanka pace bowler Chaminda Vaas believes England's batsmen must be more patient in their approach if they are to salvage a drawn series against his home nation in Colombo.
The tourists are facing the prospect of a fifth successive Test defeat against Sri Lanka in the ongoing Test at the P. Sara Oval, a loss which would leave their No.1 ranking even more perilously placed.
A first innings total of 193 in the opening Test defeat in Galle ultimately proved costly for England, who responded better in their second knock before falling 76 runs short of their target.
And Vaas, no stranger to sub-continent conditions, believe England's batsmen must be wiser in their shot selection if they are to square the series in Colombo.
He told
skysports.com: "I watched the first Test and England had a good chance to win the game but the first innings they didn't bat well. When it comes to the sub-continent you need more runs on the board first up.
"You have to be patient. The spinners dominate in the sub-continent and you have to have a good technique to play them. They showed the second innings how they should play. Jonathan Trott got a hundred and Matt Prior scored some runs but the most important thing is shot selection.
"I think England will play better in the second Test in Colombo, the conditions will be similar and the pitches are prepared for our spinners. We have Rangara Herath, who is the No.1 spinner in the world, and Suraj Randiv so we make the pitches for them. I'm hoping we can wrap-up the series but I think England have a great chance in the second Test."
Ready to fire for Northants
The 38-year-old seam bowler Vaas is preparing for another season on the county circuit after agreeing a third stint with Northamptonshire.
The left-armer played a key part in their promotion challenge last term, taking 70 wickets at 21 apiece before Surrey denied the Steelbacks a place in Division One on the final day of the season.
The 2012 season begin on April 5 - the earliest ever start-date in the competition's history - and Vaas believes there is no reason why the current crop of players cannot go one better when play gets back under way.
He said: "It's going to be a good season, we did really well last year and just one point away from promotion. The boys are all fit and really confident for the season ahead.
"All the players are determined to get into Division One. We were disappointed last year but hopefully from the first game we will play well and go up.
"I'm hoping for not only loads of wickets but plenty of runs as well - whatever the team needs from me. I'll do my best and give 100 per cent every game. I'm available for all versions, Pro40 and Twenty20 as well. I played a couple of games back home in the winter and i'm fit and ready to fire."
