Can Fearsome Four Lankans get a Last Hurrah?

Can Fearsome Four Lankans get a Last Hurrah?

Tilakaratne Dilshan, Kumara Sangakkara, Mahela Jayewardene have individually and collectively entertained cricket admirers all over the world for several years .They have won many matches at different format of the games at times on their own with out of the world performances . Over the last two World Cups they finished at brides mate – losing finalist. These top cricketers will definitely not be seen in the next world cup 2019. Whatever be the recent performance of Sri Lanka in the current bilateral ODI matches against New Zealand in New Zealand ensuing World Cup will definitely witness a different team firing with all cylinders. They are one of the most consistent team of the world. The present team is a perfect blend of seasoned senior professionals and budding youngsters’ .Long time presence in the difficult condition of New Zealand has definitely assisted them in working out the appropriate strategy for ironing out their match specific strategies. This will do world of good in the world cup.

Pool A:Australia, Sri Lanka, England, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Scotland.

Pool A Matches Review:Pool A Comprises of the two hosts Australia and New Zealand, England, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Scotland as contestants for four places for the quarterfinal round. In our analysisvery experienced Sri Lanka has more than even chance of finishing second behind Australia in the pool. As evidenced above Sri Lanka won the trophy in 1996 at Lahore ,Pakistan beating Australia in the final .Sri Lanka also finished as runners up losing to Australia and India in the finals against Australia ( 2007 )and India ( 2011) respectively

Sri Lanka is now preparing for the world cup getting acclimatized to wickets and conditions in New Zealand. Three of their pool matches including the match against home team will be played in New Zealand. We consider the first match against New Zealand at Christchurch will set the pace of the tournament. Though Sri Lanka is struggling a bit in confronting with a very strong home side in the bilateral ODI series now yet the world cup match may witness a different Lankan team. The team winning this match has more than even chance of finishing behind Australia as the second team to qualify for the quarter finals. Sri Lanka is expected to win easily against Afghanistan in their second game at University Oval, Dunedin. The third match against strong Bangladesh will be very important for Sri Lanka at MCG, Melbourne. Bangladesh is expected to put up a strong contest as it will be their do or die match.Engalnd for Sri Lanka at Wellington may be a difficult but not inconvincible for them. Sri Lanka is expected to create greater contest against Australia at SCG, Sydney. The final match of the pool against Scotland favors Sri Lanka to settle any run average matter that may come up for settling the position of the group.

Sri Lanka Squad:

AngeloMathews(c),LahiruThirimanne(vc),MahelaJayawardene,Kumar Sangakkara,Tillakratne Dilshan,Nuwan Kulasekara,Lasith Malinga,Thisara Perera,Dhammika Prasad,Rangana Herath,Sachithra Senanayake,Jeevan Mendis,Dinesh Chandimal,Suranga Lakmal and Dimuth Karunaratne

In Dilshan, Jayawardene and Sangrakkara,Sri Lanka possess three top quality ,very experienced ( among the all-time best ) World Class batsmen in their squad . Any of them are capable of playing match winning innings against any opposition anywhere in the world. The three including the Sri Lankan X-Factor Lasith Malinga may not be seen in the next world cup. They are expected to commit their best at the twilight time of their career. Opening batsman Dimukh Karunaratne has already established as ideal foil for explosive Dilshan at the top. Sangrakkara, Jayawardene, Thirimanne, Chandimal and Matthews make a very formidable middle order batting for the Lankans. Whatever uneasiness or rustiness the batting have are being cleaned and adjusted from long stay in New Zealand. Jeevan Mendis may be included in the team for providing depth in the batting. Thilsara Perera is also a good striker of the ball at the tail. Batting for the Sri Lankans are in the safe hands of experienced campaigners and budding younger geniuses. World cricket knows that Lankans are a very lively fielding side and are comparable with Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.

The team possesses five genuine pacers and captain Angelo Mathhews to take care of the new ball attack.Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Thisara Perera, Dhammika Prasad and Suranga Lakmal are all experienced. A fit Lasith Malinga is the X-Factor . He is one of the top three new ball bowlers in the world now alongside Dayle Steyn and Mitchell Johnson. Perhaps any two from the other four will be played alongside slinger Malinga as quality all-rounder Mathews will share the burden of the fourth bowler with Rangana Herath and Suchitra Seananayeke shouldering the responsibility of the spin attack. Inclusion of Jeevan Mendis will give further bowling option. Dilshan will definitely bowl a few overs as and when required.

Angelo Matthews , the young enterprising leader is blessed with the committed services of seasoned past leaders Jayewardene , Dilshan and Sangrakkara .Sri Lanka always play like a well-oiled integrated unit .

We consider Sri Lanka will qualify as the second team from Pool A for the quarter final and may find either India or Pakistan at the quarter final. Sri Lanka has the experience, quality and composure to go deeper in the tournament .Who knows whether the fading geniuses at their twilight time may present a last hurrah at MCG ,Melbourne on March 29, 2015