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Ford demands response

Image: Graham Ford (R): Looking for his Sri Lanka side to fight back on day three in Columbo

Sri Lanka head coach Graham Ford is looking for his side to bounce back on Thursday after a disappointing second day in Columbo.

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Sri Lanka head coach expects side to scrap back into contention

Sri Lanka head coach Graham Ford is looking for his side to bounce back on Thursday after a disappointing second day in Columbo. The hosts resumed their first innings on 238-6 but were able to add just 37 more runs to their overnight total before being bowled out for 275. England then put themselves in a position of power as they reached 154-1 by stumps and Ford is now hoping for his side to show their character in the field on day three. Ford told Sky Sports 1HD: "Yes it most definitely was (a disappointing day for his team). "England played really well, so all credit to them. We were certainly hoping to get a few more this morning but they dried up the runs, bowled really well and then the two openers battled superbly. "So a good day for them but I'm pretty sure my guys will be up for a good scrap tomorrow morning." Asked about the hosts' target, he replied: "After our start we probably cut back on what we hoped for initially - but 350 was sort of in mind - and after the start anything over 300 would have been something that we felt we could create some pressure with."

Changed

He added that England had changed how they batted after their defeat in the first Test in Galle. "They certainly played in a different manner and they must have had a good think about playing our spinners in particular," he continued. "But having said that I was expecting the pitch to do a little bit more and give the spinners a little bit more help today and it didn't really go that much. "So maybe that was the difference and hopefully the spinners will get a bit more out of it as the match goes on." He added: "The way they played in the first innings in Galle compared with the way they played today was totally different so it certainly gives us something to think about. "We've got to get back into the match tomorrow so we're going to have to bowl really well upfront."

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