|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 5 September 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Sports |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Sri Lanka brimming with confidence for Champions Trophy by Ranjan Anandappa
The upcoming ICC Champions Trophy or the Mini World Cup in England from September 10 to 25 should be an ideal test of strength at that level. Australia, despite being knocked out by hosts Sri Lanka in the semi-final stage when the tournament was held in 2002 in Sri Lanka, comes out as strong favourites for a near unassailable reputation they have built since retaining the World Cup in 2003. But of interest will be Sri Lanka bouncing back into contention as the number two side since winning the World Cup in 1996, and the resurgence of hosts England who have begun to 'click' as a team. Can Sri Lanka maintain their winning spree in different conditions as it all boils down to consistency, and whether the Lankans can continue in the same vein. In the previous ICC Championship held in Sri Lanka marred by disputes over players contracts and the final washed out by rain, the hosts shared the trophy with neighbours India when a full day's play was not possible even on the reserve day. Sri Lanka won the toss and batted first in the final and scored 244 for 5 in 50 overs and India faced only two overs to be 14 without loss when further play was not possible due to heavy rain. On the reserve day, the Lankans won the toss once again and batted first to score 222 for 7. India faced only 8.4 overs and were 38 for 1 when rain intervened. The Lankans will be meeting Zimbabwe on September 14 at the Surrey Oval and will take on England on September 17 in a 'do or die' battle in a group game. Sri Lanka will have to win both matches if they are to make any further progress in the championship. The preparations have been ideal for the Lankans with their recent success in the Test and ODI series against a strong South African side. They will have to make quick adjustments to meet the demands of English conditions which are totally different from home. "The team has peaked at the correct time and has played well in the Asia Cup and both in the Test and One-day series against South Africa which we won 5-0. We have won 15 out of the 16 ODIs played." Said Ajith Jayasekera who will probably be making his last appearance as manager of the team. Talking about English conditions, Jayasekera said that the team will be leaving early and will be playing two warm up games. "We are leaving early and will be there on the 5th afternoon, commence practice on the 6th and will be playing two practice games - on the 8th against New Zealand and on the 10th with a side arranged by the ECB who are hosting the tournament and by the time we play our first tournament game against Zimbabwe on September 14, we should be well prepared," quipped Jayasekera. The Sri Lankans will be armed with five fast bowlers namely, left-armers Chaminda Vaas, Nuwan Zoysa who have been in the limelight with their match winning performances with the ball in recent times and two youngsters Farveez Maharoof and Lasith Malinga and Dilhara Fernando who has not lived upto expectations. The Lankans are gradually getting used to playing without their champion spinner Muralitharan. However, strangely the side is without a genuine off spinner, and to compensate for that they have many spinning allrounders like Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Chandana, T. M. Dilshan and the replacement for 'Murali' Kaushal Lokuarachchi who is a right arm leg spinner and a useful low order batsman. Lokuarachchi with opener Avishka Gunawardena, Saman Jayantha had an impressive run with a Sri Lanka 'A' team that toured England recently. The Sri Lanka tour party for the Fourth ICC Champions Trophy ... Marvan Atapattu (captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Avishka Gunawardena, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardena (vice-captain), Tillekeratne Dilshan, Saman Jayantha, Upul Chandana, Chaminda Vaas, Dilhara Fernando, Ferveez Maharoof, Nuwan Zoysa, Lasith Malinga, Kaushal Lokuarachchi. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
