We need to win big
Sri Lankans engaged at their final practice session ahead of the curtain raiser of the ICC T20 World Cup game against Namibia
All eyes will be glued on to the TV sets this morning as the ICC T20 World Cup gets underway in Geelong with Sri Lanka involved in the first game of the tournament against Namibia. There’s lot of momentum behind Dasun Shanaka and the boys after their extraordinary effort in the Asia Cup, where they put up a splendid performance. I just hope they go from strength to strength.
Dasun’s leadership qualities were identified at a young age. He is very good at motivating his players and he’s a selfless guy. I am pretty happy with what he has achieved in a short span of time. We need to keep backing him and he’s going to do wonders with this young, enthusiastic team.
It is very important to get off to a good start in a big tournament. Sri Lanka need to not only win today in Geelong, but win big. I am sure the team has identified what their strengths are and they need to stick to them and back them. That’s the key. Namibia has a few players who have been involved in league cricket. David Wiese in particular can be dangerous and I am sure the coaching staff would have done their homework on him.
Sri Lanka have quite a few guys who can win a game on their own and that’s what makes them a strong side. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis have been consistent top of the order while Dasun and Bhanuka Rajapaksa have been excellent with their finishing.
There’s some concern about the middle order but Danushka Gunathilaka is too good a player to fail repeatedly. He will love the Australian conditions. It’s good that the team management is backing him and I have got a feeling that it’s just a matter of time before he turns things around.
It’s a tough call on Charith Asalanka. I know he was our best batter during the last World Cup but unfortunately he’s been not in the best of form. It’s such a disappointment that he couldn’t get a warm-up game to prove his worth. I feel that the team will stick to the batting combination that won us the Asia Cup, which means Dhananjaya de Silva will be preferred over Asalanka.
Wanindu Hasaranga is one of the most feared cricketers in the world right now. I was Chairman of Selectors when we picked him at the age of 19. We always knew that this is a rare talent and he has not disappointed us. He is only 25 and we expect bigger things from him in this tournament. It’s just a matter of time before he goes onto become world’s number one ranked bowler.
Wanindu is well backed by Maheesh Theekshana, whom teams are still struggling to read. The return of Dushmantha Chameera makes Sri Lanka’s bowling attack a formidable one and expect them to defend below par scores. The pace of Chameera and Lahiru Kumara can be quite unsettling for teams. Dilshan Madushanka with his left-arm quick bowling adds depth and variety into the attack and it’s a luxury to carry someone who bowls at his pace and makes life difficult for the batsmen with his angles.
A friend of mine reminded me that I featured in Sri Lanka’s first ever T20 International and our first game in a T20 World Cup. He added that I had won Man of the Match awards on both those occasions. Yes, I remember that vaguely but what I remember most is the celebrations after that win. It’s always special when you win overseas against strong opponents.
Our first ever T20 game happened during our tour to England in 2006. It was in Southampton and that set the stage for us to complete a 5-0 routing of England in the ODI series that followed.
I am also told that the 260 runs that we made in our World Cup debut is still the highest team total in World Cups and our victory margin of 172 runs in that game is also the largest ever win in T20 World Cups. I am happy to have played my little role in these achievements. We bring out our best in big tournaments and we have earned lot of respect and appreciation from oppositions and fans.
One of the best things about playing in Australia is that our fans turn up in numbers. I have played lot of cricket in Australia, having made my debut on Boxing Day way back in 1989. The support our fans show is unbelievable and I hope this time too they will turn up in their numbers. Playing in Australia is the closest you get to playing at home. Geelong will be like Khettarama today.
| Former Sri Lanka skipper Sanath Jayasuriya will contribute to the Sunday Times with a comprehensive analysis of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022, which ends on November 13 | |