A well balanced Sri Lanka team finished bride’s maid in the last two world cup in 2007 and 2011. In 2007 they lost to Ricky Ponting’s all-conquering Australian team in the Caribbean. In 2011 captain cool Dhoni’s men got better of them when the man himself played an out of the world outstanding innings. Three of the most explosive batsmen of modern day cricket Tillakaratne Dilshan (Dilscoop trademark owner), Majestic Mahela Jayewardene and modern day Bradman Kumara Sangakara will all possibly have swansong after ICC World Cup 2015. How dearly their worldwide adoring fans would want their young captain Angelo Mathhews lead the Lions with the precious gift of yet another jewel in their crown. True they struggled in test series against Kiwis in their backyard but in ODI Sri Lanka is a wonderfully balanced team which must be rated as one of the top favorites. Enigmatic Lasith Malinga is recovering from injury in a spot of bother. But still Lankans have enough fire power in pace and spin and they are a very strong fielding unit. Sri Lanka possesses a musical group of adoring followings which inspire their team anywhere they play.
The following Squad of Sri Lanka Lions has just been announced.
Angelo Mathews (capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakara, Mahela Jayawardene, Lahiru Thirimanne (vice-capt), Dinesh Chandimal, Dimuth Karunaratne, Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga (subject to fitness), Dhammika Prasad, Nuwan Kulasekara, Rangana Herath, Sachithra Senanayake.
The squad of fifteen contains 8 genuine batsmen of true class and quality, four genuine pacers, two quality spinners and few all-rounders. In one sentence the team is well balanced and more than capable of appearing once again at MCG for another crack at coveted world cup.
Although his reflexes are not truly as it used to be yet Dilshan on his day can take apart any attack playing all the copy book strokes and some of his own. He is very strong square of the wickets on both sides and always unsettles the line and length of opposing bowlers. His new partner Karunaratne is gradually maturing and has already demonstrated to be a player of long future. If Mahela was not born in Tendulkar age many could have consider him the best batsman of his time. He is truly elegant and majestic in stroke making .His allay in destruction Kumara Sangrakara on the other hand is often brute in stoke play. They together can take on any attack on any wicket anywhere. Lahiru Thirimanne and Dinseh Chandimal are two quality middle order batsmen and at number seven captain Angelo Matthews is possibly the best of his kind at this moment. So as far as batting is concerned Sri Lanka is well equipped against all opposition on all surfaces. Even Jeevan Mendis and Thilsera Perera are good slog over exploiters.
Sri Lanka has a balanced bowling attack with or without freak Lasith Malinga ( X-factor). Lakmal, Kulashekara and Prasad are all experienced operator of pacey bouncy surfaces. If Malinga gets fit for all matches Sri Lanka will have great penetrative power. Two quality spinners Hearth and Senanayake will add variety. Even Dilshan will share the attack whenever necessary.
They can match Australia and South Africa in fielding as most of the team are very agile and athletic. This Sri Lankan team is one of the best ODI side ever to visit down under.
Sri Lanka starts in Pool A along with hosts Australia and New Zealand. They pool also have England, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Scotland. We find no reason why they must not advance to business round where the depth and diversity the team possess and extensive experience of key players will matter. I will put my money on Lankan Lions to go at least to semifinals where it will be the team appearing with A game on the day to get through. I will not be surprised if Angelo Mathews Lifts the trophy at iconic MCG after the epic final.
BDST: 1302 HRS, JAN 08, 2015
