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| Sunday, 22 February 2004 |
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Defeat good wake-up call for Lankans ahead of Super League Chris Dhambarage reporting from Bangladesh DHAKA, Bangladesh, Feb 21: Sri Lankan coach Somachandra de Silva said that his team's two run defeat at the hands of the defending champions Australia was a good wake up call ahead of the Super League championship of the ICC under 19 Youth World Cup cricket tournament which begins here tomorrow. The former Sri Lanka leg spinner said that the Lankans will need to lift their game in both batting and bowling if they are to have any chances of reaching the semifinals of the tournament. He was completely disappointed in the manner the top order batsmen threw their wickets in the final group 'A' match against Australia at the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium. Sri Lanka chasing a modest total of 186 runs finished on 184 after having lost their first four wickets with only ten runs on the board. This was of course not the first time where the batting has failed and in the opening match against Zimbabwe too they let the team down with an awful batting display. Somachandra de Silva said that the late order batsmen have being doing the bulk of the scoring and cannot be satisfied with the overall performances. He said that the team is certain to meet stiff opposition in the Super League and will take on the West Indies in the first game today at the Fatuallah Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. The West Indies were the group 'D' runners up with Pakistan taking the top spot. In group 'B' South Africa came on top ahead of England while India took the number one place in group 'C' followed by New Zealand. Sri Lanka of course did play a series of one day matches against the West Indies at home and should be well aware of their opponents capabilities. Even then coach Somachandra de Silva said that the bowlers will need to produce an improved performance if they are to restrict the opposition for a low score. The Lankans were guilty of conceding as many as 19 wides in the game against Australia which was not a good sign at all. He said that there were far too many loose deliveries bowled at the Australians and that was one reason for their two run defeat. The Sri Lankan coach said that they will need to work out a plan during the next couple of days and a disciplined bowling performance is very much the need of the hour if they are to make any progress in the Super League tournament. He however praised the efforts of skipper Farveez Maharoof and Kaushal Silva for their determined batting display in the game against Australia. In fact Maharoof returned to form with a splendid half century and went on to win the man of the match award. The main concern for Sri Lanka is their top order where Upul Tharanga, Damindu Kularatne and Harsha Vithana have been failing continuously. They could be somewhat excused because the wickets they have been playing have not really helped the stroke makers. Most of the teams competing in group 'A' have struggled for runs and a total of just over 150 runs have been enough to win the match. This is because the wickets at the Bogra Stadium and at the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium are all newly constructed and international matches have been played for the first time at these venues. Sri Lanka will have some consolation as they move to the capital Dhaka to play their Super League matches on more batting friendly wickets. Apart from the today's match against West Indies Sri Lanka's remaining Super League fixtures will be against England on February 24th at the Fatullah Cricket Stadium and against India on February 26 at the Bangabhandu National Stadium. The Super League draw: Group 1: Sri Lanka, England, India, West Indies. Group 2: Zimbabwe, South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan. February 22: Sri Lanka v West Indies at Fatullah Stadium India v England at Bangabhandu Stadium February 23: Pakistan v Zimbabwe at BKSP Stadium South Africa v New Zealand at Bangabhandu Stadium February 24: Sri Lanka v England at Fatuallah Stadium India v West Indies February 25: South Africa v Zimbabwe at BKSP Stadium Pakistan v New Zealand at Bangabhandu Stadium February 26: Sri Lanka v India at Bangabhandu Stadium England v West Indies at Fatuallah Stadium February 27: South Africa v Pakistan at BKSP Stadium Zimbabwe v New Zealand at Bangabhandu Stadium Semifinal 1: February 29: winner Super League 1 v runner up Super League 2 at Bangabhandu Stadium Semifinal 2: March 2: winner Super League 2 v runner up Super League 1 at Bangabhandu Stadium Final: March 5 at the Bangabhandu National Stadium. |
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