Sri Lanka stutter in warm up games but may still provide some fireworks. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports editor)
Sri Lanka made an inauspicious start to the World Cup losing both warm-up games to Bangladesh and Afghanistan and the writing on the wall about their chances of success seems dismal to say the least.
Just recently they overcame both these teams in the Asia Cup before making the final against India.
But the preparation since has see both Asian neighbours step up their campaigns while Sri Lanka’s course appears at this stage to be heading backwards.
Both losses were convincing, by seven wickets to Bangladesh and six wickets to Afghanistan, and throws up concerns about the composition of the team that has failed to deliver with and without Skipper Dasun Shanaka who seems to be the focus of attention rather than the team’s overall performance.
Apart from Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka, Sri Lanka’s batting seems brittle and inconsistent which begs the question about whether more experience in the squad would have given them necessary ingredient for a important tournament such as this.
England and and New Zealand are a case in point around this theory recalling decision makers in their campaigns.
While all is not lost yet as the World Cup proper begins with Sri Lanka taking on South Africa in their opening game on October 7 in Delhi. All eyes will be on how they compete against one of the best teams in the world with their full complement of players included.
Sri Lanka coach Chris Silverwood will be at his wits end trying to turn things around on the biggest stage and his greatest challenge will be to decide whether to go with or without his Skipper. Either way a poor campaign will see him the loser. Silverwood’s track record since taking the reins of Sri Lanka cricket from Chandika Hathurusinghe has been reasonable.
But Sri Lanka’s fanatical fans won’t settle for less than their glory days.
Sri Lanka fans are divided and justifiable in their belief that Skipper Dasun Shanaka should be left out of the team due to his string of failures. But fracturing a successful team at such a crucial stage will not help them if they want this team to have reasonable success.
It will be the case if there is division within, which will be no surprise with Sri Lanka teams of the recent past and what has contributed to their downward spiral. Matters unrelated to Cricket appears to be driving a wedge within their game plan and projected system.
Sri Lanka will be banking on consistency in both batting and bowling with the likes of Charith Asalanka, Sadeera Samarawickrema, Dimuth Karunaratne and Dasun Shanaka, if he is included, needing to provide the backbone to Nissanka and Mendis who appears to be playing a lone hand recently. They can provide some fireworks in the tournament if they fire.
Kusal Mendis was in blazing form with the bat against Afghanistan smashing 158 off 87 balls, his century coming up off 58 balls. It also showed that his captaincy in this game did wonders for his confidence with the bat. Unfortunately not with the result.
Mendis ripped apart the strong Afghanistan bowling, including Rashid Khan to whom he showed great disdain, in a merciless attack that promises more excitement in the games ahead.
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Their bowlers are also a concern due to injury and inexperience and they will be sorely tested against the best batting line-ups in the world. Maheesh Theeksheena’s return could provide some bite in this respect and they will be hoping he will remain injury free.
Sri Lanka’s fate lies in their own hands and will rest heavily on a concerted and united campaign.
Defending Champions England and New Zealand kick-start this edition of the World Cup at Ahmadabad on October 5.
