BBC SPORT | Cricket | Sri Lanka realistic after win

Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya professed himself happy at his second-string side's 228-run victory over Bangladesh on Wednesday.

Match report

But he admitted that a 10th consecutive victory at home was no consolation for the side's poor recent tour of England, where they lost a three-Test series 2-0.

"In Sri Lanka, in these conditions, we can do it, but we need to look at our performance internationally, going out of Sri Lanka," said Jayasuriya.

"We didn't perform up to our standard," he said of the England tour. "Slowly, slowly our confidence is coming back."

Test status was awarded to [Bangladesh] and it's theirs by right

ICC spokesman

This was Bangladesh's 12th defeat in 13 matches since they gained Test status two years ago

And it was the 11th consecutive innings in which they failed to pass the 200 mark, despite a battling 75 from teenager Mohammad Ashraful.

The two sides now play three one-day internationals on 4, 5 and 7 August.

Bangladesh skipper Khaled Mashud bemoaned yet another batting collapse.

"Our middle order didn't contribute enough runs," he said.

"But we've some promising youngsters in the side and hope to do well in the one-day series, even though we know Sri Lanka is a top side in the shorter version of the game."

Muttiah Muralitharan
Muralitharan returns for the one-day series
Several of Sri Lanka's nine first-choice players rested for this match, including spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, return for the one-day series.

Left-arm seamer Chaminda Vaas was recalled after being rested for both Tests, following a poor tour of England but there was no spot for strike partner Nuwan Zoysa.

And pace bowler Chamila Gamage, who took a wicket with his first ball in Test cricket, was rewarded with a limited-overs spot.

Test status safe

Coach Mohsin Kamal agreed that the limited overs game, favoured in Bangladeshi domestic cricket, is completely different from the five-day game.

"They need more time to play Test cricket, more time to minimise their mistakes," the former Pakistan Test bowler said.

"They need to be more patient. Test cricket is about how much time you're willing to spend at the crease."

The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed after the match that Bangladesh's Test status was not in danger.

"It's simply not on the agenda. It's not something that's being brought up at the moment," ICC spokesman Brendan McClements said.

"We take note of their performances, of course, but that in no way suggests there's going to be any question of losing a Test-playing nation.

Sri Lanka squad for the first two one-day internationals: Sanath Jayasuriya (captain), Marvan Atapattu, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Aravinda de Silva, Russel Arnold, Hasantha Fernando, Chaminda Vaas, Chamila Gamage, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Charitha Buddika Fernando, Upul Chandana, T.M.Dilshan, Pulasthi Gunaratne.


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