ICC World Cup 2019
Part 6 - Will Srilanka reach one more semifinals???
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Most of the senior start players of Srilanka were retired with 2015 world cup itself. Already they were in critical position with this world cup they were ready to gave send off to few more senior players like Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera. We were not sure whether Srilankans will keep their consistency in this world cup too. If they finish the tournament with in top 5 position that is too good for them. But its not that much easy as we told. They have to cross all the strong teams. Definitely this big tournament may gave lot of changes in Srilankan team as well as in their cricket board position.
Lets coming to our discussion on the squad. They have proper five batsmen, six allrounders in their list and four bowlers. No other teams will have this much all rounders in the squad as Srilanka had. This is one of their big advantage. If they used properly definitely it will create a big impact during the match.
The Top order:
The skipper Karunaratne itself a a biggest left hand opener. He has not played that much in ODI's. In 17 one day match he scored 190 runs only. But he have much pretty records in test matches. In 117 innings he scored 4074 runs and 196 as his best. So he is suitable for the steady opener position. His job is just not to lose wicket in first 15 overs and has to rotate strike as well as to play with strike of more than 75. A Fernando a young right hand batsman is there to open with Karunaratne. But if one batsman play steady innings another has to play a destructive innings. So Kusal Perera, wicket keeper of Srilanka should open bat with their skipper. K Perera strike is too good at one day. So he is the perfect choice for no2.
For No 3, they need a eternal batsman unfortunately Srilanka doesnt have anyone now. But experienced player Lahiru Thirimanne is there to build innings. He has an average of 35 in ODI's. Kusal Mendis is there for no 4, he is also a wicket keeping batsman. But he is in good form, so its better to have him in squad.
Competition for All-Rounders:
As we already told Srilanka has six all rounder in squad. Without any discussion they can add Angelo Mathews at no 5. The Ex captain of Srilanka should guide Karunaratne in such a big tournaments like world cups. For a spin all rounder they have lot of options like Jeevan Mendis, Milinda Siriwadana and Dhananjaya de silva. They can use both Dhananjaya and Siriwadana in squad. A combination of right and left orthodox spin. Both having skills. Jeevan Mendis is a good all rounder. But his current form is questionable under pressure during big tournaments.
Till now 7 seven positions filled, lankans can add one biggie in the all rounder list its must for them to win a game. Thisara Perera, one of the sensational hitter as like Jason Holder for west indies. Definitely he can join with Mathews in sparing the opponents. He may be at no 8. But he should bat at any position when team facing death overs.
Speeds:
Who is else is the better option for Srilanka to lead bowling army other than yorker king Lasith Malinga???? No one can replace this guy his experience, bowling skill, yorker at deaths, taking wickets in unexpected slow balls were always special. He may not bowling that much fast as like he bowled in previous years. But with his experience he know how to control batsmen. Still its hard to forget this guy collapsed South African army at 2007 world cup semi's. Once south africa were in strong position while chasing and this guy came took 4 wickets in 4 balls continuously. We are expecting one more time magic from this curly lion.
Still 10 and 11th position are there, we can directly go for their current pacers Suranga Lakmal and Nuwan Pradeep. Both were good in pace. If malinga try to control with slow yorker. These guys can bowl with pace and bounce with little swing. Definitely Suranga Lakmal will be the bowling trumph card for Srilanka in this tournament. Other than these guys Lankans can use Isuru Udana in one or two matches.
Best XI for play:
1. Dimuth Karunaratne (C)
2. Kusal Perera (wk)
3. Lahiru Thirimanne
4. Kusal Mendis
5. Angelo Mathews
6. Milinda Siriwardana
7. Thisara Perera
8. Dhanjaya De Silva
9. Lasith Malinga
10. Suranga Lakmal
11. Nuwan Pradeep
Over all they were strong in fast and medium pace bowling option and a little bit in batting. If all the projected batsmen settled in crease and started to play shots with confident they have lot of matches to score competitive runs. Because nowadays chasing 400 runs is also became possible. So the pressure is completely on Sri lankan batsmen. One more big weakness of lions is they dont have proper expertise spinners like Muralidharan or Ajanta Mendis to make opponent batsman scare to play big shots. So, Karunaratne has to use spin all rounders in middle overs itself. May be by keeping England pitch Srilankan committee not picking any spinners it seems. But Lankans has to awake while bowling for settled batsmen with these spinners.
May be this time Srilankans not looks like that much powerful but anything can happen in short format games. So if they play with a plan and coordiantion against each team they can shine well. They should play with more care against bangladesh and afghanistan because lankans doesnt have world class batsman now. In that matches also they should play with full potential. Good luck Karunaratne for going to lead this team first time in big tournaments.
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