Final one-day showdown expected to go down to the wire. Sri Lanka’s chances of series win rests on batters. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor).
Sri Lanka’s bubble bursting loss to a defiant Bangladesh in game two of the one-dayers must surely have jolted them to the realisation that taking the foot off the pedal often courts disaster.
I was pretty sure after Sri Lanka’s face saving comeback in game one, that the road ahead needed calm, careful composure against a team ranked above them in the shorter version of the game.
Home ground advantage doesn’t count for much these days with the international commitments involving franchise cricket where players from most countries gain familiarity with different playing conditions.
Bangladesh is a seasoned and experienced competitor who at their best can worry most of the best teams in world cricket.
This sets up the decider today as a test of nerve for Sri Lanka who have a very good balance both in batting and bowling. But inconsistency has been their bugbear, and which team shows up on the day determines whether they win or lose.
Skipper Charith Asalanka and ciach Sanath Jayasuriya need to get into the heads of the team about complacency, and the threats the Bangladeshis possess, if they are to take the series.
Bangladesh for their part, are now acclimatised to Sri Lanka conditions which has little difference geographically. They just need to execute their plans and strategies to pull off a heist. Skipper Shanto and his men often rise to their best against Sri Lanka in what is now considered a fierce rivalry among Asian nations.
A sound start will hinge heavily from Sri Lanka’s batters led by Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu and Kusal Mendis, skipper Asalanka and perhaps Janith Liyanage should shoulder the bulk in a limited ability batting line-up.
It certainly promises to be a closely contested tussel.
