Sri Lanka Thread

[Richard]

Crazy thing is, he's mastered it better than just about anyone, ever.

Really remarkable that he's done that so well and everything else so abysmally.

[chaminda_00]

Originally Posted by Richard

I just can't believe that Fernando is ever going to solve the problem of serial-no-balling and impossible waywardness if he hasn't by now.

Zoysa, however, has suffered from such things much more sporadically, and that's what's made me think he has more potential than dear old Dilhara Slower-Ball.

He never slove the no ball problem unless he stops becoming a professional net bowler. You can only solve those things by bowling in a real match (i.e First Class Match). Since his latest return from injury he played in two A series and a handful of matches for SSC. His basically spent the last 12 months bowling in the nets and the odd ODI. I don't think he would have played more then 10 FC matches in the last 12 months.

[Salamuddin]

Sri Lanka have a good chance to win the damn thing I feel.

They have good batsmen, do their basics excellently (running between wickets and fielding) and have two excellent bowlers in Vaas and Murali.
I think Bandara is pretty underrated but I feel SRi Lanka's chances could hinge on how their other seamers (e.g Dilhara, Malinga and KUlaskara) fare.

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

I'm entirely unconvinced by Sri Lanka's late order hitting.

[Richard]

But their top-order hitting is equalled by no-one.

[chaminda_00]

Originally Posted by Mr Mxyzptlk

I'm entirely unconvinced by Sri Lanka's late order hitting.

The main reason why Kapugedera should have been selected regardless of form. The main area in the side we lack is lower order hitting, outside our back up bowlers.

[shortpitched713]

This is what I think they should go in with for the first match, assuming everyone is fit.

Sri Lanka XI
1. Sanath Jayasuria
2. Upul Tharanga
3. Kumar Sangakkara+
4. Mahela Jayawardene*
5. Marvan Atapattu
6. Tillakaratne Dilshan
7. Farveez Maharoof
8. Chaminda Vaas
9. Malinga Bandara
10. Lasith Malinga
11. Muttiah Muralitharan

Looks to be a well balanced team. Lower order hitting could be a problem, but Maharoof has shown some potential in that regard. Probably has one of the best opening pairs in ODI cricket right now, and one of if not the best WK-batsmen in the world. Vaas, Murali and Malinga form the very capable core of this bowling lineup, and Jayasuria is solid enough of a bowler, but the performance of Maharoof and Bandara to fill out the rest of the overs could prove key either for or against SL.

[Pup Clarke]

I would go with

Upal Tharanga
Sanath Jayasuriya
Mahela Jayawardene
Kumar Sangakkara
Marvan Atapattu
Tillakaratne Dilshan
Chamara Silva
Farveez Maharoof
Chaminda Vaas
Muttiah Muralitharan
Lasith Malinga

[Richard]

Originally Posted by shortpitched713

This is what I think they should go in with for the first match, assuming everyone is fit.

Sri Lanka XI
1. Sanath Jayasuria
2. Upul Tharanga
3. Kumar Sangakkara+
4. Mahela Jayawardene*
5. Marvan Atapattu
6. Tillakaratne Dilshan
7. Farveez Maharoof
8. Chaminda Vaas
9. Malinga Bandara
10. Lasith Malinga
11. Muttiah Muralitharan

Looks to be a well balanced team. Lower order hitting could be a problem, but Maharoof has shown some potential in that regard. Probably has one of the best opening pairs in ODI cricket right now, and one of if not the best WK-batsmen in the world. Vaas, Murali and Malinga form the very capable core of this bowling lineup, and Jayasuria is solid enough of a bowler, but the performance of Maharoof and Bandara to fill out the rest of the overs could prove key either for or against SL.

Atapattu must bat three IMO.

Swap him and Sangakkara.

And what wouldn't I give for Dharmasena instead of Bandara...

[shortpitched713]

Originally Posted by Richard

Atapattu must bat three IMO.

Swap him and Sangakkara.

And what wouldn't I give for Dharmasena instead of Bandara...

Hasn't Sangakkara been batting at three for a while now? Hasn't been too ineffective there either, I daresay. The skipper Jayawardene is at four so I don't see any room for him above five. Weird considering that 2 years ago no one would have thought that Atapattu would be batting anywhere but three.

[thierry henry]

Originally Posted by Pup Clarke

I would go with

Upal Tharanga
Sanath Jayasuriya
Mahela Jayawardene
Kumar Sangakkara
Marvan Atapattu
Tillakaratne Dilshan
Chamara Silva
Farveez Maharoof
Chaminda Vaas
Muttiah Muralitharan
Lasith Malinga

Dunno about the batting order but this will probably be the team imo

[meatspx]

As an outsider who has only recently seen Sri Lanka play in the Champions Trophy & here in NZ, Farveez Maharoof & Chaminda Vaas batting at 7/8 with the tail following is not good enough.

I would be backing Sri Lanka but their form in both of the those tournaments/series wasn't flash hot. They should have beaten NZ considering the home team was chopping and changing whereas Sri Lanka had their best side picked.

Sri Lanka has the bowling line-up to suit the conditions, but their form has to improve. With the long format of the tournament surely it will change for the better.

[JASON]

The best SL team would be -

Tharanga
Sanath J
Atapattu
Sangakkara
Chamara Silva
Mahela
Dilshan
Maharoof
Vaas
Malinga
Murali

But for Bermuda,

I personally would go with

Atapattu
Arnold
Mahela
Sangakkara
Dilshan
Chamara Silva
Maharoof
Vaas
Bandara
Kulsekera
Murali

[chaminda_00]

Yeah i think we will play somewhat of a 2nd string side against Bermuda. Tharanga will play though, best minnow basher in the world really.

Also Richard what do you see in Dharmasena he was crap for most of career, did a servicable role at best. Bandara is far, far better.

[Richard]

Originally Posted by shortpitched713

Hasn't Sangakkara been batting at three for a while now? Hasn't been too ineffective there either, I daresay. The skipper Jayawardene is at four so I don't see any room for him above five. Weird considering that 2 years ago no one would have thought that Atapattu would be batting anywhere but three.

Sangakkara is perfectly equipped as far as I can see to bat five.

Same can't IMO be said of Atapattu.