Windies only a set of brilliant individuals:

Lankans must be ruthless from ball one

By Dr. Elmo RODRIGOPULLE

It will be West Indies power hitting versus Sri Lanka’ all round strength when the cricketing cowboys take the field in the final of the 2012 World Cup Twenty20 at the R.Premadasa Stadium tonight. On Friday night Marlon Samuels, Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard launched a devastating assault on the hapless Aussie bowlers to run up the highest score in the tournament 205 for 4. And then the Windies spinners Samuel Badree and Marlon Samuels and the medium pace of Ravi Rampaul rubbed salt on the Aussie wounds to stuff them and deprive them of any chance of entering the final.

Unexpected victory

With this unexpected victory the Windies will take the field full of confidence. But the Lankans need not worry because this batting show was a flash in the pan for the Windies who are individually brilliant. Again the winning of the toss and posting a score of 160 to 170 should be the aim of the Lankan batsmen. Losing the toss may not mean losing the match, but it can make winning that much more difficult. The team batting first will have less pressure, while the side batting second will be under tremendous pressure to maintain a certain run rate. Sri Lanka will also not lack for want of spectator support. Spectator support goes a long way to relieve pressure, inspire the home players and pressurize the opponents.

Get Gayle early

To get Gayle early should be the main idea of the Lankans. If allowed to cut loose, he could create a bit of a problem. When the teams met in Pallekele,the pressure put on the Windies openers was tremendous and they just capitulated. Similar pressure is required. In beating Pakistan to enter the final, the Lankans, after slow coach Tillekeratne Dilshan put pressure on the middle batting with his indifferent batting, the bowlers rose to the occasion to strangle the Pakistani batting.

The fielding was wanting with Lasith Malinga being a weak link with his butter fingered catching. Fielding coach Ruwan Kalpage would have worked overtime with him and hammered it into him that catches win matches.

The Lankans are fortunate to have a clever and thinking captain Mahela Jayewardene with them. He has outshone all other captains on show and been an example.

Great captaincy

Even when the going was tough, he did not lose his cool, but kept on urging and inspiring his team mates to raise their drooping spirits and perform. His captaincy will play a big part in this final. Jayewardene and Dilshan must give the Lankans a formidable start for the batsmen following to consolidate and post a challenging total even if they have to chase for victory.

Left hander Kumar Sangakkara has big responsibility. He has the strokes to make a big score. If he concentrate little extra should put the Windies attack to the sword. Jayewardene will do well to send in blaster Thisara Perera ahead of Jeevan Mendis. Perera has the big shots and sending him early will give him the confidence to make a big score.

Make big scores

Batsmen following such as Anjelo Mathews, Mendis and Lahiru Thirimanne must make big scores. They are capable and must not be overawed by the occasion.

In the bowling, medium pacers Nuwan Kulesekera, Lasith Malinga, Anjelo Mathews and spinners Ajantha Mendis and Rangana Herath must remember that they are miles better than the Windies attack.

The Lankans must endeavour not to make silly mistakes. The fielding, especially the catching must be sure. Misfields, over throws must be avoided.

Over then to the R.Premadasa International Cricket Stadium where the packed house will be shouting, beating their drums and yelling themselves hoarse and inspiring the gallant band of Sri Lanka cricketers to lift the Trophy.

Victory and we see no reason why it should not be achieved, the fans will be celebrating, lighting fire crackers and shouting and dancing till the wee hours of the morning. Here’s wishing a Lankan victory!