Review of World Cup Teams -- Sri Lanka

About Sri Lanka cricket

Lions usually hunt alone, except for this Sri Lankan team, which always hunt in elevens. World record holders for scoring most runs in an innings for both tests and ODIs. Just 26 years since their official test status, they are a force to reckon with. They have won both the ICC ODI tournaments, the World Cup in '96 and the Champions Trophy(joint winners) in 2002. They are the first and the only country to host and win the same edition of the World Cup. Incidentally, they are the only team to have emulated this feat in Champions trophy too.

Sri Lanka's Win-Loss Record

Except for the '96 edition, in which they were the champions, and the latest edition in South Africa where they ended up in the final four, Sri Lankans have a bad World Cup record. They were eliminated in the first round itself on 6 of the 8 occasions. However, just to stress that under-estimating them would prove costly, their '96 triumph was the only time a team won a cricket World Cup undefeated over so many matches.

Current Sri Lanka cricket Team

The 30 probables for Cricket World Cup 2007, Mahela Jayawardena
Marvan Atapattu
Sanath Jayasuriya
Upul Tharanga
Avishka Gunawardena
Mahela Udawatta
Kumar Sangakkara
Tillakaratne Dilshan
Chamara Kapugedera
Malinda Warnapura
Russel Arnold
Prasanna Jayawardena
Chamara Silva
Farveez Maharoof
Chaminda Vaas
Ruchira Perera
Dilhara Fernando
Ishara Amarasinghe
Lasith Malinga
Nuwan Kulasekera
Nuwan Zoysa
AkaSri Lanka Ganegama
Dilhara Lokuhettige
Muttiah Muralitharan
Rangana Herath
Malinga Bandara
Kaushal Lokuarachchi
Gayan Wijekoon
Upul Chandana
Dhammika Prasad

Sri Lanka's Approach

The probables list has now, logically, come down to 17 or 18 with at least 13 players already booked their places. The certainties (barring injury & other misc reasons) will be,

Mahela Jayawardena
Marvan Atapattu
Sanath Jayasuriya
Upul Tharanga
Kumar Sangakkara
Tillakaratne Dilshan
Chamara Kapugedera
Farveez Maharoof
Chaminda Vaas
Lasith Malinga
Muttiah Muralitharan
Malinga Bandara
Dilhara Fernando

The others like Russel Arnold, Chandana, Zoysa etc., have to fight for the remaining 2 slots.

Sri Lankan Batting

Sri Lankans are one of the heaviest batting line-ups in ODI sector currently. The openers, Sanath Jayasuriya and Upul Tharanga, who share the record for most number of ODI centuries for the year of 2006. Middle-order has the current, future and former captains, Mahela Jayawardena, Kumara Sangakkara and Marvan Atapattu, respectively. Even if two out of this 3 fire, victory will be almost sure. The lower middle-order has Tillekaratne Dilshan and Farveez Maharoof. Both with varied styles but effective. One is a classic tip-and-run guy while the other is a big-time hitter. They make a terrific combination in the late overs. With Vaas holding the tail up, it is one of the best batting line-ups for this current World Cup.

Sri Lankan Bowling

Only one name would crop up when Sri Lankan bowling is concerned; Muttiah Muralitharan. But, all that is changed. To accompany the old warhorses Murali and Vaas and to share their workload, there is a new kid in the block and that too with a round-arm slinging Waqar-esque action. Yes, Lasith Mallinga, who has taken cricket followers by surprise with his awesome success rate. With people like Zoysa, Fernando, Maharoof as backup and the ever-accurate Jayasuriya on one end, there is enough fire-power in this Sri Lankan bowling to put even celebrated batting line-ups in trouble. To quote Jayawardena, "Mallinga has added the x-factor to our bowling line-up", proves his confidence over this bloke.

Sri Lankan Fielding

For the last few years, Sri Lanka has always been an above average fielding team. Dilshan is electric in the field. Murali and Jayawardena have always been safe hands. Maharoof and Vaas, patrolling the fence, have very strong arms that batsmen would think twice before deciding on an extra run if the ball goes to these guys.

Current Form of Sri Lanka Cricket team

The Sri Lankans have been in a prolific run for the last 6 months. Usually referred as "Lions at home; Cats elsewhere", the Sri Lankans made that false last year. First they thrashed the English side 5-0 to hand them their biggest defeat on home in 13 years. Pitted as one of the favorites for the Champions trophy last year, they failed to make it to the semis. Earlier this year, they had a successful tour of New Zealand, where they drew the Twenty-20 series, Test series and the ODI series. All said, the Sri Lankans have to carry their confidence and form that they gained in the last 6 months to Carribean to make a mark, again.

Cricket World Cup 2007 Prediction

Sri Lankans are in Group B, pitted against 2 other Asian nations, Bangladesh and India and the new comers Bermuda. They are sure to make it to the super-8's easily. But from there on, the journey won't be easier. But still, they have a fair chance of claiming the biggest prize in international cricket the cricket world cup 2007, once more.

Other teams
Test playing Nations : India | Pakistan | West Indies | Sri Lanka | New Zealand | South Africa | England | Australia
Non test playing Nations : Canada | Bermuda | Scotland | Zimbabwe | Kenya | The Netherlands | Ireland | Bangladesh
Who will win World Cup 2007?