High flying Lankans full of optimism

By Amindha de Alwis

It has been several years since Sri Lanka entered a global cricketing tournament with as much confidence and positive momentum as they will carry when they kick off their T20 World Cup campaign in Australia this Sunday.

After over half a decade of sobering performances and a revolving door of captains, Sri Lanka’s limited overs side have found their feet again under the captaincy of Dasun Shanaka and a competitive showing is very much expected from them over the next month. 

The team has seen steady contributions from a number of players recently which was particularly evident during their Asia Cup triumph last month which saw different players stand up at different occasions during Sri Lanka’s five straight wins that led them to the title after suffering a walloping in game one versus Afghanistan. 

The outfit has built a sense of stability to itself with the starting line-up pretty much settled. Perhaps the only question for the team management would be which two out of Charith Asalanka, Danushka Gunathilaka and Dhananjaya De Silva would make the cut for the number three and four positions. 

Despite their recent run of form, Sri Lanka will first have to make it through the preliminary round of the tournament, playing the UAE, Namibia, and the Netherlands before entertaining any Super 12 thoughts as a result of the team falling to ninth position on the ICC T20I Rankings last year when qualification was decided.

While the higher ranked associate teams have been closing the gap between lower ranked Full Members in recent years and could always prove a banana skin, Sri Lanka would be relatively confident going into their First Round matches and the benefit of playing three competitive games in Australian conditions before the Super 12 stage would not be lost on the side.

Making the semi-final stage thereafter would be a challenge, but with a collective unit that has started putting together noteworthy performances, their chances appear far higher than what was expected at last year’s tournament despite the bouncier Australian tracks.

Players to watch:

Wanindu Hasaranga – If there is one player in the side who stands out above the rest it is leg-spinning allrounder Hasaranga. He was the highest wicket-tacker in last year’s T20 World Cup with 16 scalps, and his T20I strike rate of a wicket every 14 balls at an economy rate of just 6.72 makes him amongst the best bowlers going around. He ability to score quick runs batting at number 7-8 can also be a major difference maker.

Bhanuka Rajapaksa – The naturally aggressive Rajapaksa is Sri Lanka’s cleanest ball-striker and will likely slot in at number five. The left-hander has been particularly destructive against spin bowling in his international career so far and has the ability to clear both off-side and leg-side boundaries with the sort of comfort not many possess.

Dushmantha Chameera – Returning from injury, the right-arm quick has led Sri Lanka’s pace attack for the last two years, touching high speeds while improving tremendously in his accuracy. Though he missed the Asia Cup, the 30-year-old will have a key role to play on Australian surfaces and can trouble the very best batters on his day.

Furthermore, openers Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka would once again be tasked with providing their side with a strong base to allow the likes of Rajapaksa, Shanaka, and all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne to capitalise on at the backend.
Dishan Madushanka’s left-arm pace and Maheesh Theekshana’s mystery spin will also add venom to what is a well-rounded Sri Lankan bowling line-up.

First Round Fixtures:
vs Namibia on October 16
vs the UAE on October 18
vs the Netherlands on October 20

Sri Lanka Squad: Dasun Shanaka (C), Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka and Pramod Madushan