Shanaka and Pathirana double blow will test Sri Lanka resolve. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports editor)
Injuries to Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka and young paceman Matheesha Pathirana has worsened injury stricken Sri Lanka’s chances of making it past the first round.
And while the Wolves baying for Shanaka’s blood will feel vindicated about derailing their country’s progress and still expecting success, it does nothing in my opinion to enhance their chances of progressing any further.
It definitely underlines a divisive nation expecting success to meet their personal gain. This goes against the grain of the best teams that have represented that country.
Sri Lanka have shown fight in defeat in the last two games despite battling the odds to field their best line-up. Injuries have dessimated a once formidable team who have gone through an extended rebuilding process.
But agendas among the outer with vested interests, have kept them down and is stifling their progress.
While it not all doom and gloom, it tests the capabilities of Kusal Mendis as Skipper and prolific run scorer which, if successful, will announce Sri Lanka’s rise to fame on the future.
A fire of baptism against Australia will test Mendis’s leadership in their next game and whether the rest jell with his direction.
Sri Lanka were never in contention to win this World Cup, but after reaching the final against India in the Asia Cup, they were expected to create a few ripples, the water in that aspect has been calmn so far.
This game is pivotal towards their progress on a world scale.
