SL need Sanath, Dilshan to fire | T20 World Cup Finals

The World T20 reaches its climax today, with a dominant Sri Lankan side taking on an impressive Pakistan. Sri Lanka was my pick right from the start, and their comprehensive route to the final is no surprise at all.

They have played exceptional cricket and each and every player has put in a complete effort. Tillakaratne Dilshan had a fantastic IPL and he has carried his form here.

Dilshan and veteran Sanath Jayasuriya have been the best opening pair, and Sri Lanka needs both of them to fire. One of these two has always batted till the end when set, as we saw with Dilshan in the semifinal against West Indies.

Sri Lanka’s two fine spinners Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis have troubled quite a few batsmen, although Lasith Malinga is another unsung match-winner.

I got to take my hat off to Younis Khan and his men, as reaching two consecutive World T20 finals is nothing short of a phenomenal effort.

Shahid Afridi has been in terrific form with the ball and his batting seems to have clicked as well. If he is able to replicate his performance from the semifinal, we could be in for another upset.

In all probability, Sri Lanka should walk away with the title, as they have dominated this competition.

Source : Hindustan Times

Sangakkara banking on veterans Sanath,Murali and Mahela to deliver in T20 WC

Mahela Jayawardena (left) and Sanath Jayasuriya follow the proceedings at the media launch of a new team sponsor at Sri Lanka Cricket headquarters on Tuesday.

The Sri Lanka cricketers led by new captain Kumar Sangakkara will take wing today to England for the ICC Twenty20 World Cup tournament starting on June 5. The Sri Lankans find themselves in a tough group with Australia and West Indies as their opponents. The first hurdle they will have to clear is beating one of these teams, if they are to move on to the Super eight group, the semi-finals and then god willing the final and the trophy. The Lankans play Australia on the 8 and West Indies on the 10 at Trent Bridge, Nottingham.

Pity that the Lankans have not been given a game at the Kennington Oval or the Mecca of cricket Lord’s. But that is how it goes.Addressing the media at the Cricket Board Headquarterson Tuesday, skipper Sangakkara said that he has the talent and theconfidence to beat their opponents.”

We have some plans and strategies as to how we should go against our opponents. If we play to form,there is no reason why we should not get the better of our opponents. Sangakkara said that in addition to the experienced seniors, he has some highly talented juniors with him. While the opponents will know how the seniors go, it is advantageous to have the juniors, because the opponents will not have a know how of the capabilities of the juniors.

The winners in this style of game are those who execute correctly the needs of this game. There is no time to think, because runs have to be made off each ball, not caring how it comes, but that it comes.When bowling it has to be wicket to wicket and curtailing the batsman’s ability to score.

What is very important is that the fielding, especially the catching be spot on. A big responsibility rests on the broad shoulders of the elder statesman in the team Sanath Jayasuriya. Jayasuriya has proved himselfin this style of game and knows how to adjust. He has promised to deliver this time round. Batsmen of the calibre of the

Sanath Jayasuriya

skipper, Tillekeratne Dilshan, former skipper Mahela Jayawardena, Chamara Silva, Indika de Saram and Farveez Mahroof must strike it rich with the bat. The good news is that Mahela Jayawardena is quickly responding to treatment and is fast recovering. “I am still not back to full fitness. But when tournament time comes around, I’ll be raring to go”, said a beaming Jayawardena who was reaching his peak batting form when he suffered a muscle damage.

Lasith Malinga, now that he has regained full fitness and showed good form in the IPL Twenty20 will have to lead the pack of bowlers.

Spinners Ajantha Mendis, Muttiah Muralitheran and Sanath Jayasuriya must curb the batsmen. The conditions will be cold, similar to the conditions some of the players experienced in South Africa. The wickets at Trent Bridge will be more swing friendly and while the bowlers will have to have control, the batsmen will have to get in line before executing. The cricketers have been fortunate to have with them the chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket D. Somachandra de Silva a former national cap. DeSilva a former leg spinning all-rounder knows what the cricketers need.”

The players must have peace of mind to perform. I have looked into every need of the players and gone out of the way to please them. The players too have confidence in me and together we have formed a good rapport”, said the chairman and advisor to President Mahinda Rajapaksa on cricket. He is confident that the players will mark his appointment as chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket by flying back with the ICC Twenty20 trophy.

The Lankans will not have to worry about security. The organisers have spread out a security blanket and the tournament should go on without a hitch.

'Old fox' Jayasuriya in SL lineup for T20 WC

Veteran all-rounder Sanath Jayasuriya has been included in the 15-member Sri Lanka squad for the Twenty20 World Cup in England this June.

The southpaw, who has been in tremendous form in the ongoing IPL in South Africa, is the oldest member of the squad that was announced in Colombo on Monday. Kumar Sangakkara has been retained as skipper, while Muttiah Muralitharan has been made his deputy.

Most of the Lankan players, who are playing in the IPL, have been included in the line-up. This includes Tilekaratne Dilshan (Delhi Daredevils), Mahela Jayawardene (Kings XI Punjab), Ajantha Mendis (Kolkata Knight Riders) and Lasith Malinga (Mumbai Indians).

Apart from the squad, six players have been announced as standby players. They are: Malinga Bandara, Upul Tharanga, Chamara Kapugedara, Chinthaka Jayasinghe, Tisara Perera and Suranga Lakmal.

The Squad: Kumar Sangakkara (Captain), Muttaih Muralidharan, Sanath Jayasuriya, TM Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardana, Chamara Silva, Angelo Mathews, Ajantha Mendis, Nuwan Kurasekara, Thilan Thushara, Lasith Malinga, Isuru Udana, M Maharoof, Jehan Mubarak, Indika de Seram.

Jayasuriya among Sri Lanka's probables for T20 WC

An ageing Sanath Jayasuriya is among the 30 probables in the Sri Lankan squad for the Twenty20 World Cup in June in England.

Jayasuriya, who will be touching 40 by the time the tournament ends, was the eldest member in the Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa in 2007 and this time around, he is likely to retain the tag of becoming the 'Grandfather' of Twenty20 cricket.

At the age of 38 in the 2007 World Cup, Jayasuriya scored 467 runs. He retired from the longer version of the game during the first Test against England in Kandy in 2007-08. In January 2009, during the first ODI against India, he became the second player to cross 13,000 ODI runs, and at 39 years and 212 days, became the oldest man to score an ODI century.

Kumar Sangakkara will lead the side while Muttiah Muralitharan will be his deputy. The list will be pruned to 15.

The 35-year-old Chaminda Vaas is also among the probables and is likely to spearhead the bowling attack.

Probables: Kumar Sangakkara (captain), Muttiah Muralitharan (vice captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, Chamara Kapugedera, Jehan Mubarak, Chamara Silva, Angelo Mathews, Farveez Maharoof, Nuwan Kulasekara, Thilan Thushara, Lasith Malinga, Chaminda Vaas, Ajantha Mendis, Kaushal Weeraratne, Upul Tharanga, Isuru Udana, Dilhara Lokuhettige, Chintaka Jayasinghe, Nuwan Zoysa, Gihan Rupasinghe, Thilina Kandamby, Malinga Bandara, Dilhara Fernando, Indika de Saram, Thisara Perera, Gayan Wijekoon, Milinda Siriwardene, Lahiru Thirimanne.