Malinga gives added power to Lanka's attack

Elmo Rodrigopulle in West Indies

WORLD CUP: TRINIDAD, March 17 - Captain Mahela Jayawerdene said the recent form of fast bowler Lasith Malinga has given that much needed added power and variation to Sri Lanka's bowling attack.

Speaking after Sri Lanka's massive 243-run victory over Bermuda in Thursday's opening group 'B' match at the Queens Park Oval here in Trinidad, skipper Jayawardene said his team had to rely mainly on left-arm fast bowler Chaminda Vaas and celebrated off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan over the last few years. "But now, Malinga has added a new dimension to Sri Lanka?s bowling attack,"? he said.

"The last six months have been really exciting for our team with Lasith (Malinga) around. He has given us more attacking options. With his superb action and the pace that he generates, Lasith is always asking questions and keeping opposition batsmen in suspense,? he said.

With a skiddy round-arm action, the 23-year-old youngster from Galle, bagged three wickets for 10 runs in a five-over burst to put Bermuda batsmen all at sea. The Lankan captain said Malinga showed a great aggression in his debut World Cup.

Playing in their first Group 'B' tie, Sri Lanka made 321 for 6 and then ran through Bermuda batting to restrict their innings for a hopeless 78 all out in 24.4 overs.

Jayawardene's top score of 85 was his first ODI half century since June 2006 and was also his highest score in World Cup matches.

But Jayawardene stressed the importance of being consistent. ?We take match by match at this stage. It is important we plan out things well and take match by match to reach the Super eight. That should be the target right now and from there onwards, it?s going to be a tough battle for everybody,? he told newsmen.

We put our heads down and concentrated on having a good start. Once we did that, things fell in place.

The last two years we have been playing good cricket. It?s only in the last two months that we have not had a big win. Hopefully this will be the start of a good tournament.?

Jayawardene's team came to the Caribbean after a 1-2 series loss in India but the Lankan skipper said that was a good wake up call. ?We have recovered well and are hoping to remain unbeaten at this group stage.

Batting wasn't easy on the Queen?s Park Oval wicket though we put on a commanding total on the board.

The first 20 overs were very difficult. Upul Tharanga and Sanath Jayasuriya had to really work hard for their start? he added.

Sri Lanka is scheduled to play their second group 'B' first round match against Bangladesh at the same venue on Wednesday before moving on to the third and final group match against India on Friday. Jayawardene said Sri Lanka has a decent line up which leads to the most decisive tie.