da mrbet： Sri Lanka were always expected to overpower Canada’a part-time clubcricketers but the speed with which victory was achieved was nevertheless asurprise
Charlie Austin19-Feb-2003Sri Lanka were always expected to overpower Canada’a part-time clubcricketers but the speed with which victory was achieved was nevertheless asurprise.This was the shortest game in World Cup history, lasting a total of just23.2 overs and 105 minutes of play, providing Sanath Jayasuriya’s side withample time for a relaxing afternoon’s tour of the beautiful winelands thatsurround Paarl.© ReutersThe win puts Sri Lanka in a strong position with 12 points now banked and atowering net run rate (NRR) of 3.17.Assuming no weather interruption against Kenya, a win against West Indies onFeb 28 at Cape Town, or against South Africa at Durban three days later,will ensure their place in the Super Sixes.”We are aware that by finishing off matches so quickly we are depriving themiddle-order of batting but the situation is such that we need to keep theNRR up and have to use all options open to us.”
(Sanath Jayasuriya)Ideally, of course, they should win both and carry through the maximum 12golden points into the second round, an advantage that will vastly improvetheir chances of qualifying for the semi-finals.Even if they slip up, losing both key matches, they could stillprogress on the basis of having a superior NRR.Unfortunately, crushing victories against Bangladesh and Kenya have come ata price with the middle order now worryingly short of match practice.Should Sri Lanka brush aside the Kenyans with similar ease on Monday thenthe majority of their batsmen will take on the West Indies without having somuch as taken guard in the middle for 18 days.”So far in the tournament we have been indomitable, beating oppositionseasily when so called Super Sixers struggle with minnows. If Sana canBlitzkrieg, the cup is ours.”
(Seelanatha)For all batsmen, at all levels, time spent in the middle is precious,allowing the maintenance of footwork and form. To go into a pressure cookermatch so ring rusty would be a major disadvantage.Thus, providing the weather gods are smiling and the reasons for bowling arenot compelling, Sri Lanka must bat first against Kenya.Changing the batting order, especially the top three, can be a dangerousstrategy, one that is probably best avoided, but its essential that thelikes of Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Aravinda de Silva and RusselArnold have some World Cup runs under their belt before taking on CarlHooper’s impressive side.Despite this concern, Sri Lanka’s position is a very good one.© ReutersIndeed, the mere suggestion two months ago, after the side’s toweling in SA,that Sanath Jayasuriya’s side would top Pool B would have been laughable toall but the most ardent and hopeful SL supporters.Times have changed. Form has returned to key players and that has fed thefringe players with confidence. The performance of the hugely promisingPrabath Nissanka yesterday is a case in point.”I love bowling on this type of wickets. The captain and coach helped me alot to get my rhythm back at practices. I did a lot of hard work at the netsand it has paid off today.”
(Prabath Nissanka)During the SA tour his self-belief was fragile. He formed part of amisfiring bowling attack and was under intense pressure each time he bowled,invariably to South African batsmen brimming with confidence.Now, however, he looks around and sees reliable support: Chaminda Vaas, thetournament’s top wicket-taker; Murali, the tournament’s leading spinner;Dilhara, whose no ball crisis has lifted; and a trio of experiencedpart-time spinners.The atmosphere for rookies has improved and Nissanka, with his silky rhythmand tight control, appears to be flourishing.”Sri Lanka and New Zealand Final are the teams that are peaking at the righttime. The Aus will fall in the semi’s; SA, at best, will limp into theSuper Sixes with little or no points to carry forward.”
(Rufus Rajanathan)It is, of course, early days, but the prospect of Nissanka establishing hisplace is of great significance to a cricketing nation not traditionally blessed with natural pace. Ever since he rattled Jayasuriya’s helmet in the nets 18 month’s ago he has been watched closely by an impressed management.Unfortunately, injuries have so far blighted his youthful career. It may be thathis rickety knees, both suffering from tendonitis, may still buckle underthe heavy demands of international cricket, but there is now hope of promisebeing fulfilled.© ReutersShould he perform well against Kenya then he will pose the tour selectors atricky dilemma if Pulasthi Gunaratne’s right index finger has healed in timefor the West Indies game.Gunaratne’s burgeoning reputation as a man of character, a bowler capable ofwithstanding the heart-tremors of one-day cricket, makes him the safe choicebut Nissanka’s extra bounce and pace provides a cutting edge.But it’s a nice dilemma, one that is a mile away from SL’s recent past, whenthe problem was finding a single seamer capable of bowling with a modicum ofaccuracy and discipline.So, although yesterday’s game was ludicrously abbreviated, it provided somesolid fuel for those believing that Sri Lanka can win the 2003 World Cup.