After a nightmare tour of India, the Lions vindicated themselves with an important series win against England – which had its scare at 3-2 but cruised in the end to win the final two by 90 and 87 runs respectively.
It would have been a huge morale booster for the players and a reassurance to the fans that the India tour was just a bump in the road, however amidst all the celebrations and the team’s departure to New Zealand for the test series; there are still the questions that haven’t been answered.
Can Dilshan find a solid opening partner?
Thilakarathne Dilshan once again proved why he is Sri Lanka’s best all-rounder with masterful work to clinch the Man of the Series. Dilshan is not the belligerent hitter from a few years back, but then again he cannot afford to that without having a reliable opening partner.
The selection committee has explored the options of Upul Tharanga and Kusal J Perera and both of them have failed to grab the opportunity. Kusal may be have put his nose out as the future but it is commonly believed that his technique needs work and there is no person more equipped to help him out than coach Marvan Attapattu.
Tried randomly Mahela Jaywardena has proved to be the better option as in his own words he has pleaded for promotion to the opening slot to which chairman Sanath Jayasuriya showed great resistance. Mahela was successful as an opener when Sri Lanka toured Australia for a Tri-Nation ODI series against India. Mahela as an opener has an average of 43.00 in 34 innings at a strike rate of 91.42; including 4 hundreds and 7 half centuries. That is a half century every third match.
After the failure in the 6th ODI he gave a glimpse of what he brings to the opening position in the 7th ODI before he hauled out to fine leg. Mahela’s natural attacking flare together with his technique and range of shots gives him that added advantage to assess the conditions while keeping the scoreboard ticking.
As for Kusal, no doubt he is a talent but a work in progress. With the World Cup around the corner it would be a career bust by the selectors to bring on Kusal without giving him proper time to rectify his misgivings.
Sanga the wicket-keeper
While Sangakkara’s batting has gotten better with age as fine wine do, the same cannot be said about his wicket keeping. Wicket keeping is a fine art and ageing never helps anyone in that regard.
There were a couple of instances in the recent South Africa ODI series, India tour and the England series that his wicket keeping has come under scrutiny. Sanga has dropped catches and missed stumpings and a few of those players have gone onto make centuries. With Kusal also losing his place in the team Sanga has no option but to give an added importance to his work behind the stumps & fitness.
Also the great one down bat has often perished in pursuit of quick runs at the death of ODIs for which fatigue of keeping a full innings and batting at the top of the order could be faulted. He has missed out of numerous centuries as a result and need we remind his weakness of giving away his wicket to ordinary deliveries?
Who to play at 4-5-6?
If Mahela Jayawardena opens the batting it vacates his usual no.4 position. The obvious choice would be the inform Captain, Angelo Mathews. However Mathews has built a reputation of being one of the best finishers in the modern game. So will he be more valuable at no.4 or at his normal position? If he drops back to 5 or 6 who should bat at no.4? The usual suspects would be Chandimal and Thirimanna – with both having shown signs of improved form.
Mathews is in the form of his life. He can play anywhere at 4, 5 & 6. However same cannot be said about Chandimal who takes time in building his innings and is no big hitter come the end of the innings. The better option would be if Sri Lanka are to accommodate Chandimal, is to give him the no.4 slot and play Mathews at no.5.
Malinga and who else?
A fit again healthy Malinga is an automatic starter but he himself is in a race against time to be fully fit for the World Cup. In Malinga’s absence his support cast has been unable to cement their roles in the team. Malinga’s long standing partner, Nuwan Kulasekara has been struggling for form – his last major contribution being in the final of the T20 World Cup.
The selectors have tried Dhammika Prasad but he has proved hot and cold with more cold days than hot. Suranga Lakmal came back to the side for the final two ODIs against England and gave vital penetration lacking from Malinga’s hiatus picking five wickets. They’ve also tried out Lahiru Gamage in the India series where he bowled well but a World Cup may prove too much for him to handle.
The other candidate is Shaminda Eranga. Eranga has had a limited amount of ODI exposure having only played the final two ODI’s against India. Eranga and Lakmal are no Johnson or Steyn who sends shivers down the batsman’s spine but the extra pace and accuracy which they have shown in the recent past will more than complement Malinga’s menace. Lakmal is billed as the next in line to lead the pace attack. Having said that, it should be noted that both of them have been hampered by injuries in their careers. With much looking after they will be the best to play alongside Malinga at the World Cup.
