The first match against Canada today:

Lanka poised to start campaign on winning note

Chris DHAMBARAGE reporting from Hambanthota

WORLD CUP CRICKET: Sri Lanka look set to launch their World Cup campaign on a successful note when they confront Canada in their group ‘A’ opening fixture at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Sooriyawewa, Hambanthota today.

This day-night encounter will also mark the inaugural match to be worked off at this historic venue which has been especially designed and constructed for the ICC 2011 Cricket World Cup at a cost of nearly $ 8 million.

Sri Lanka the 1996 champions and runners up in 2007 are set to field their full strength side for the opening game in their attempt to build up confidence ahead of the more important matches lined up in the tournament.

In fact Kumar Sangakkara and his team will take the field brimming with confidence after recording back to back victories in their two warm up matches against the Netherlands and the West Indies at the SSC ground and R. Premadasa Stadium respectively.

In contrast Canada had a tough schedule on their way towards the tournament opener having lost both their warm up matches against Bangladesh where they lost by nine wickets and against Pakistan where they went down by 89 runs.

However, this will be Canada’s fourth appearance in a World Cup tournament having also played in three previous editions in 1979, 2003 and 2007 respectively. They had their most memorable moment when they defeated Bangladesh by 60 runs in 2003.

However, since then, they have lost every game and is currently eight matches without a win which is the joint third worst losing streak in the ICC World Cup history.

Canada of course qualified for the 2011 mega event after they finished runners up at the ICC World Cup qualifier held in 2009. Canada made the lowest score in World Cup history when they were dismissed for 36 runs against Sri Lanka in 2003.

Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara admitted his knowledge of Canada is confined to ace batsman John Davison, who scored the fastest World Cup hundred against Bangladesh in 2003 until Mathew Hayden broke his record in 2007.

“I know Davison, who scored the fastest World Cup hundred and not too much. I don’t think when we go to play sides that we haven’t played much that we should worry because in those games it’s all about us, how well we do and how well we play our cricket,” said Sangakkara.

Sri Lanka - firepower to beat Canada

He said that Sri Lanka had the firepower to beat Canada, adding: “I think we don’t need to be negative and we must make sure that we beat them without problems.”

Canadian captain Ashish Bagai admitted his team faces a big challenge. “Obviously Muralitharan and Malinga are the big threats but if we can get through a couple of their bowlers we have a good chance,” said Bagai.

“It is a new venue, even they won’t know what to expect, so it’s going to be tough for both the team,” said Bagai. Consistent rain has given little time for the pitch to settle down but it is likely to help slow bowlers.Besides Bagai and Davison, Rizwan Cheema and Sri Lankan-born Ruvindu Gunasekera lead the batting in the 15-man squad, which includes players born in India, Pakistan and Uganda among other nations.

[The teams]

CANADA (from): Ashish Bagai (captain), Harvir Baidwan, Rizwan Cheema, Khurram Chohan, John Davison, Parath Desai, Tyson Cordon, Ruvindu Gunasekera, Amabhir Nansara, Nitish Kumar, Henry Osinde, Hiran Patel, Balaji Rao, Zubin Surkari, Karl Whatham. SRI LANKA (from): Kumar Sangakkara (captain), Mahela Jayawardena, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Chamara Silva, Chamara Kapugedera, Thilan Samaraweera, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekera, Dilhara Fernando, Lasith Malinga, Rangana Herath, Ajantha Mendis, Muttiah Muralitharan.