Coach Dav Whatmore says Sri Lanka have no one but themselves to blame if they miss out on a semi-final place.
I think I was right to ask India to bat in the morning
Captain Sanath Jayasuriya
|
After a Super Six defeat to Australia and Monday's 183-run reverse to India, the 1996 champions could be eliminated from the qualification race before their final game.
"It is difficult to have sympathy for the boys when they play like that," said Whatmore.
Sri Lanka now need to win by a big margin against Zimbabwe at East London on Saturday.
But they must also hope either that New Zealand lose both their matches or that Zimbabwe beat Kenya.
"The boys got themselves into this situation and now they must get themselves out of it," Whatmore added.
"We've had a talk about it already. We can assist all we can but they know that ultimately you win or you lose by what happens in the middle.
"They're going to have to really dig deep."
Sri Lanka were completely outplayed at the Wanderers on Monday as India posted 292 for six after being asked to bat.
India's bowlers then shot their rivals out for 109 in just 23 overs, with five batsmen out for ducks.
"We were not on the same park," Whatmore said.
"We thought we had a little bit of fight in the previous game against Australia which I was hoping was going to rebound into this game.
"But boy, I was pretty wrong."
However, Whatmore gave full marks to India, tipping them to meet Australia in the final.
"India is the in-form team. They are playing very well at the moment [and] their confidence is up," he went on.
"At the moment you have to say it is India and Australia. One hopes they don't meet each other in the semi-finals."
Email this story to a friend
Printable version
