SRI LANKA DREAM OF A WORLD TEST FINAL – BEATING KIWIS DAUNTING CHALLENGE BUT ACHIEVABLE – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE
An experienced Sri Lanka squad begin their quest to gain some respect in world cricket by toppling New Zealand at home in a two Test series, which in this case, may not be far fetched.
Sri Lanka sits perilously at number three in the World Test Championship, and a clean sweep against the Kiwis and an Australian win in India could propel them into a dream final against Australia in England.
Dimuth Karunaratne leads a well balanced outfit strengthened by the inclusion of some veterans who will bring much needed stability to a team otherwise on a roller coaster in the shorter formats.
Apart from the skipper, Angelo Matthews, Dinesh Chandimal and Oshada Fernando give the Lankans vital experience and stability particularly in the batting against the locals who will miss speedster Trent Boult who is on limited overs duty overseas.
Karunaratne, Matthews, Chandimal and Oshada Fernando, with Kusal Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella and Dhananjaya De Silva give the Lankans much depth in batting. They will make success hard for the Kiwi attack.
New Zealand are no easy beats at home, so the Sri Lankan task will be herculean but not beyond achieving.
Sri Lankan coach Chris Silverwood appeared upbeat at his team’s chances, and even came close to promising that the team will do their country proud.
This team have the necessary ingredients to turn things in their favour on the pacy seaming tracks in New Zealand. But their batters hold the key against a pretty lethal attack despite Boult’s absence.
Sri Lanka’s bowling has what it takes to match the Kiwis and will be hoping their batters will give them a reasonable total to defend.
New Zealand are out of contention to make the final but will not relent and allow the Lankans easy access being a fiercely competitive sporting nation.
On form, New Zealand are definitely the favourite to send the Lankans packing from the competition.
But write the Lankans off at your peril. They are known to deliver the unexpected when the chips are down.
