Sri Lanka are on the brink of yet another series triumph this year, having drawn first blood in the three-match T20 series with a 1-0 lead. Earlier in the week, the islanders completed a clean sweep of the ODIs. Some may dismiss this as ‘only Zimbabwe,’ but that is a lazy short cut. On paper, the hosts boast more experience than the visitors. And given that T20 has long been Sri Lanka’s weakest suit any victory is certainly worthy.
There have been holes in the side, no doubt, but the cracks are slowly being filled. Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Maheesh Theekshana and Kamindu Mendis have emerged as bona fide match-winners, cementing their places with bat and ball. A couple have even muscled their way into the ICC top ten, a sight as rare as hen’s teeth for Sri Lanka not too long ago. When you have players ranked among the elite, it is a signal that the tide is turning.
>>Future of Sri Lankan cricket in safe hands, says Mathews<<
Yet a few spots remain a merry-go-round. The number four slot has been a revolving door, with experiments falling flat. Avishka Fernando has been replaced by fellow Sebastianite Nuwanindu Fernando. He needs a fair run before the axe falls or selectors look elsewhere.
Some whisper Kamindu should be pushed up to four. He bats at five in Tests and now that Angelo Mathews is gone will move up to number four. But whether he should walk out there in coloured clothing at number four is the big question.
Numbers six and seven are graveyard slots, often arriving with the scoreboard in tatters or with only a couple of overs left to slog. Kamindu may not be a brute hitter, but he has shown nous at farming the strike from the tail and when the chips are down, he has found ways to accelerate. Few thrive in that cauldron and Sri Lanka would be wise to keep him there in ODIs and T20s. Tests, of course, are another kettle of fish.
One bugbear remains the batting collapses. Too often the openers blaze away only for the middle order to dig their own grave. The inability to rotate the strike, pierce the gaps and build pressure-free partnerships has been glaring. Instead, panic sets in, cross-batted heaves follow and wickets tumble like ninepins.
>>New cycle, new faces: Sri Lanka ready to roar<<
Sri Lanka’s pace bowling is a different kettle altogether. In T20s, Nuwan Thushara and Binura Fernando are trusted lieutenants, with Dushmantha Chameera bringing the extra yard of pace. Thushara has raced up the ICC charts, while Binura provides the left-arm angle. The logic is clear, but in doing so, Sri Lanka may have taken their eye off the fielding drill. Dropped dollies have cost them dear and it is a reminder that in T20, even half-chances must stick.
Still, credit where it’s due: there has been a genuine effort to plug the leaks. The appointment of a power-hitting coach was a step in the right direction. Selectors, too, have shown patience, allowing players a decent run before judgment is passed. The Asia Cup will be the acid test, with qualification for the second round the immediate Everest. With Wanindu Hasaranga back in the side they should fancy their chances.
