Lankans could come back against England
As a result of the ”introduction” of the five match series against India just prior to the seven match romp against England, there is a feeling that the players will be having a surfeit of cricket. The Indian rout will only serve to confirm those fears. The shattering of morale, the wounding of the psyche will also be adduced.
On the other hand, and looking at things in a positive light, the England series coming so soon affords a heaven-sent opportunity to restore confidence and faith in the players. Furthermore, the ODIs will be played on home tracks which are quite different to the bland, flat ones encountered at Cuttack, Ahmadabad et al.
A win is a win and, if, as expected, the Sri Lankans can beat Cook’s side comfortably, there will be a surge of confidence and optimism.
An attack devoid of Lasith Malinga, Rangana Herath (and Sachithra Senanayake)which amounts to about 50 percent of the ODI bowling resources could never contain the rampaging Indians. One felt for Mathews (looking at his gestures of helplessness and the body language) as the ball was sent flying to all sectors of the ground. Let it be said that no captain could have done more than Mathews with the resources at his disposal.
The selectors face problems aplenty. The recall of Nuwan Kulasekera was a surprise. Not so his subsequent performances (or lack of them).Thisara’s bowling has certainly seen better days. Worryingly, he did not fire as a batsman. Yet, leaving him out would be unthinkable.
Suraj Randiv was a flop. Despite his four wickets at Ranchi, Ajantha Mendis’ economy rate was alarming. The element of mystery seems to have disappeared. Seekuge Prasanna is a more likely option, especially if he slows it down as he did in the last game. With Herath’s impending retirement, our spin resources are bound to be at low ebb.
Coming to the batting, the question of T.M. Dilshan’s partner is still left hanging in the air. Kusal Janith, Upul Tharanga and Niroshan Dickwella were tried with little success. Possibly, Mahela Jayawardane could open. The fear is that an early dismissal would open up the middle order. On the other hand, if he gets runs at the top it would help Sri Lankan’s cause. Mathews is in the form of his life. Lahiru Thirimanne has come back well with back to back fifties
Thirimanne, Mathews and Tharanga occupying slots four, five and six wouldn’t be a bad idea. Didn’t Tharanga bat at six on the last tour of Australia? I recall him having some success in that position.
Sadly for Sri Lankan fans (and even more so for English cricket) Kevin Pietersen will be missing. Yet, a top six of Alastair Cook, Alex Hales, Ian Bell, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan and Jos Butler is not a trifling matter. Moeen Ali could fit in, especially as, with his off spin, he has another string to his bow. That leaves Ravi Bopara who also, has claims as an all-rounder. Stokes fits in to this category, too.
The English bowling, one suspect would find it difficult to contain the Sri Lankan batting. Steven Finn, Chris Woakes and the left armer Harry Gurney are the front liners. Chris Jordan has had success against Sri Lanka. Yet he tends to bowl like a millionaire, dispensing wides, no balls and hittable deliveries with alarming frequency. Yes, the fire –power provided initially by Anderson and Broad is sure to be missed.With some turn expected, Treadwell is the bowler most likely to apply the brakes. But the Sri Lankan top four are past masters at playing spin, aren’t they?
Released from the traumas inflicted by Dhawan, Sharma and Kohli, the Sri Lankans are expected to thrive in home conditions especially with the load lifted off their shoulders.