
Former Test cricketer Simon Katich believes Sri Lankan finger spinners bowled too slowly in the first innings at Galle, making it easier for Australian batters to use their feet.
Katich pointed out that the slower pace of Sri Lankan spinners, compared to their Australian counterparts, allowed batters to step down the wicket more comfortably.
During Australia’s first innings, Prabath Jayasuriya and Nishan Peiris bowled at average speeds of 80.8 km/h and 83.4 km/h, significantly slower than Nathan Lyon and Matthew Kuhnemann.
Katich noted that the Australian spinners, bowling at higher speeds, made it more difficult for Sri Lankan batsmen to advance down the wicket.
While analyzing the bowling performances, Katich acknowledged that fatigue and the pitch’s deterioration also influenced the effectiveness of spinners in Galle.
He emphasized that fresher bowlers and changing pitch conditions contributed to the varying success of spinners throughout the match.
The speed comparison showed that Todd Murphy was the fastest spinner in the game, delivering at an average of 94.1 km/h, while Prabath Jayasuriya and Jeffrey Vandersay were the slowest.