The expedition of destiny

Sports

By S.R. Pathiravithana

Pious looking new look Lankan openers Upul Tharanga and T.M. Dilshan praying for bigger exploits during this challenge in Bangladesh. (Pic by Ranjith Perera)

The anxious youngsters waiting for the team bus

Sri Lanka Cricket team manager Brendon Kuruppu contends that in spite of a youthful look, the Lankan team has enough experience and talent to do well in the up-coming tri-series against India and Bangladesh in the latter’s venue.

Prior to the departure last evening, Kuruppu said: “Without the heavy names like Jayawardena, Jayasuriya and Muralitharan who fills years of experience, the Lankan composition have enough meat to carry them forward”.

He added that up in the order T.M. Dilshan, Upul Tharanga and skipper Kumar Sangakkara were heavily among the runs in India and the Lankans have no worries right now among the top three. Then in middle order Thilan Samaraweera, Thilina Kandamby were also very capable batsmen who knew what their duties were and could bat according to the given situation and added: “Chamara Silva has made a comeback and now it is up to him to justify the selectors’ choice and deliver the goods. The other batsman who would be under scrutiny is young Lahiru Thirimanne. He is a batsman who batted as an opener while playing for his school and now plays in the middle order in club cricket.

At the same time he also has been scoring heavily in the recent past. Thirimanne along with the other young promising player Dinesh Chandimal are the young players who would be given a good look by the selectors before the final World Cup composition is made”.

Among the all-rounder Thisara Perera is more a batting medium pacer and Muthumudalige Pushpakumara is more an off spinner who could also make an effective contribution with the bat.
Kuruppu quipped: “Suraj Randiv was impressive in India and did well in the given opportunities while Malinga Bandara has experience and has done well with the opportunities that he has been given in the past. However with Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis looking over their shoulders they will have to make the maximum out of this opportunity that has come their way.

Among the medium pacers left armer Chanaka Welagedera was the most impressive in India. On different tracks to the dead ones that they experienced in India Welagedera and company comprising Nuwan Kulasekera, Suranga Lakmal and Thilan Thushara should look out to do well.

The matches that would take place in the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur would be day/night games.

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