The last time the Cricket World Cup was played in the Subcontinent, Sri Lanka clinched the trophy. Are they going to do it again? The Newstribe takes a look at their strengths. Sri Lanka is the oldest team in the competition and the second most experienced. Their skipper Sangakara is more experienced than Ranatunga was in 1996. Similarly, his deputy Jayawardene is more experienced than De Silva was.
They have got everything that a team needs to win a major competition. They retain the Great Murali from the 1996 winning squad. He remains the most difficult spinner in the world. His presence will be enough for intimidating the batsmen of the other sides.
Their pace bowling army is neither too old nor too young. And has quite a bit of experience with Lasith Malinga and Dilhara Fernando. Sri Lanka won the 1996 competition without any fast bowler (Vaas was always a medium pacer). But this time they have Malinga and Fernando. They have both got the kill. Kalusekera is also a good addition to their attack.
Besides Murali, they have Ajantha Mendis and Rangana Herath who can destroy any team on the subcontinent pitches, particularly Sri Lanka.
But their biggest strength is their batting line. It is no less solid than India. Led by Sangakara and Jayawardene, they also have Upal Tharanga, Samaraweera, Chamara Kapugedera and Dilshan. This batting line can score 350 runs against any opponent. Even if they score 300, their bowlers have the capacity to restrict the other sides.
Angelo Matthews adds to the batting line the same thing that he adds to the bowling line: depth. This extremely talented cricketer should be the hero for Sri Lanka this time. He is Sri Lanka’s Abdul Razzaq and Yousuf Pathan.
There seems to be no weakness in the Sri Lankan side. Their reaching the quarterfinal is without a shadow of doubt certain. But anything can happen there. Let’s see if this Sri Lankan side with loads of experience can do what Ranatunga boys did fifteen years ago.
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