Preview - Sri Lanka

SRI LANKA

Sri Lanka was the first team to win a World Cup at home back in 1996. After a rather poor WC in 1999 and an average one in 2003 (even though they made it to semis), they would be having high hopes this time around and rightly so.

Sri Lanka appears to have a good mix of players in this world cup. They have a left arm opening bowler Vaas, express pace in Malinga, off spin (javelin thrower) in Murali and a left arm spinner in Jayasuriya.

Batting wise they have the murderer Jayasuriya at the start and a cool head in Sangakkara to take care of middle overs. They can expect Tharanga to provide good support to Jayasuriya and also Dilshan and Maharoof to slog at the death.

They have quite a no. of all rounders who can do a decent job when called for. Jayasuriya, Dilshan, Arnold can rotate their arms and do some bowling - same with Vaas who can swing his bat merrily in the later stages or provide solid support according to the situation.

This will be the last World Cup for Jayasuriya, Vaas, Murali and Atapattu – so you can expect a good effort from them (though I have my own doubts about Atapattu).

As mentioned earlier my money is on Sri Lanka or atleast I expect them to have a decent WC.

Strengths:
· Jayasuriya still has it in him to get his team to a flier.
· Sangakkara can provide great middle innings support.
· Decent all-rounders in the team
· Vaas with the new ball and Muralitharan during middle overs are as dangerous as ever.
· Malinga’s unique action can be a X-factor.

Weaknesses:
· Over dependence on Jayasuriya to provide them flying starts.
· Playing Atapattu can be a gamble.
· Jayawardena’s form or the lack of it.

Key Players:
· Jayasuriya, Muralitharan, Vaas

Dark Horse:
· Dilshan, Tharanga, Maharoof

My Take:
· Semifinal / Final / Winner

My Team:
Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Tharanga, Mahela Jayawardena (c), Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Marvan Atapattu, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Russell Arnold, Farveez Maharoof, Chaminda Vaas, Muralitharan, Lasith Malinga.