It’s nearly time for the semi-finals and as you read this, Sri Lanka’s fate will be known. In the history of the tournament, none has been as exciting or unpredictable as the ICC World Cup 2011, says the ICC and fans can’t help but agree.
Whether it was Kevin O’Brien of the underdog Irish team setting a record for the fastest hundred or Lasith Malinga being the first player to take two hat-tricks in World Cup history, spectators have had many wonderful moments with high-scoring matches and nail-biting finishes.
The Sunday Times caught up with the fans, from commentators, to die-hard cricket enthusiasts and young’ uns, to ask them of World Cup fever so far and here’s what they had to say:
What we’ll remember:
Russel Arnold: “Walking out to the centre in our stadiums and soaking in the electrifying atmosphere out there was amazing.....It’s something very special which I will never forget.”
Tania Peiris*: “We were at the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka match. We were batting second - Sangakkara and Silva were at the wicket. The runs had mostly dried up, with the required run rate around 7 maybe 8 runs an over - could’ve been more. The required rate was almost 10 at one point. Needless to say the situation was looking a bit dire. Anyway, the crowd was kinda quiet, waiting patiently for something to cheer for, watching the required rate climbing, watching Silva repeatedly play the ball to the fielder, and it felt like something just had to give. The crowd (seemingly the entire stadium) starts chanting “Sanga, Sanga”, as if we could compel the batsman to break free, when ‘Holy what a shot, Batman!’ Sangakkara hits a six. He got out a ball or so later and we lost the match, but that single moment was truly memorable.”
Gehan Samuel: “The never-say-die attitude of our fans. Even when we were losing to Pakistan, the crowd still had some fun, especially when our tail-enders managed to score a few boundaries. We love our cricket, and we have a great time in the stands, even if there’s a lull on the pitch at that time. Against Zimbabwe, we had a friendly ‘conversation” with Ray Price at the boundary, though he ended up taking 3 wickets so joke on us I suppose.”
Samantha Gooneratne: “The England v India tie: ties are rare as it is, and the idea that a Tendulkar century can result in something other than an Indian victory is exciting (unless you’re Indian).”
Esala de Livera Tennekoon: The most memorable moment was when Lasith Malinga got his hat - trick! to have a bowler once again in the record books - as the only bowler to have two hat -tricks in World Cup history!
What an achievement! And also when the Irish beat the English. This World Cup has shown that there is a lot in store in the future for these associate nations like they have showcased this time letting the entire world know what they are capable of.
Shaq: This World Cup? Nothing so far. Been quite sedate actually! But of all WC’s...was definitely when the Morning Show was broadcast LIVE from the Caribbean during the last WC, and went for the finals in Barbados! That was an experience and a half!!
Who stood out:
Mischael Daniel: “Personally, I’m a big fan of AB de Villiers. I like how he improvises and scores runs even in the most unorthodox fashion. That’s not to say he isn’t a technically gifted player, because he is, and he’s the backbone of the South African batting. But the player who has impressed me is Francois du Plessis, also from South Africa. To a great degree he is a lot like de Villiers in that he scores runs quickly, whether it is by placing the balls into gaps, or by clinical clean-hitting. The skill I am most impressed with, in him, is his running between the wickets. Batsmen tend to think that it’s all about boundaries and taking the occasional single, but players like du Plessis make singles, twos and twos, threes. He adds a lot of stability in the middle order with his composure and is the sort of player our team lacks. Oh and he’s also a spinner, which helps in these sub-continent conditions.”
Samantha Gooneratne: “Ireland and The Netherlands: we expect the associate teams to crumble in the face of the more established teams but these teams have exhibited decent talent and a fair amount of mettle. They still lack the tenacity to capitalise on a strong position...but to be fair, this World Cup has seen a lot of the regular teams failing in that aspect too.”
Rakitha Rupasinghe: “Ireland for beating England and England for barely making it to the quarter finals. I also think that India was a shocker. They were the hot favourites hosting the World Cup. I expected a lot more from them.”
Udara Kotuwella: “Kumar Sangakkara. He was absolutely brilliant. Amazing player and very good captain.”
Mahesh Senaratne: “England has been as exciting for me to watch. Like somebody said they are like the new Pakistan. Some matches you expected them to play well and they didn’t. The other matches you thought they might lose and they fought back. So they played a really very interesting game. It got you thinking, the way they played. There were also a couple of good players. [Kumar] Sangakkara is at the moment, the leading run scorer. Hashim Amla of South Africa was a stand out. Kevin O’Brien with that massive, massive innings. [Muttiah] Murali [daran] was very economical throughout all the matches. And Graeme Swann I thought also played exceptionally well.”
Shaq: It’s like this, your expected superstars are supposed to perform...and most have! No one has really played out of their skins to stand out like that!
How will you celebrate
if we win?
Gehan Samuel: “Probably spam all my Indian friends with youtube clips of Queen’s “We are the champions”
Hemal Kannangara: “Trucking with a bunch of crazy fans. Wearing the wig and waving the flag.”
Why watch it live?
Madhawa Abeyratne: “The Papare. Definitely the Papare. What was the least enjoyable thing? “Nothing bad really. Even when we got soaked during the Sri Lanka vs. Australia match, it was great!”
Hemal Kannangara: “The atmosphere. Every part of it. The crowd, the cheers, the Mexican Wave, the Papare, the game, everything.”
Dilrukshi Fernando: “If you haven’t watched a match live, with the crowd, at the grounds, you have not lived.”
Mahesh Senaratne: “The thing is I went for a couple of box tickets. And that was air conditioned with a TV. But then there were those that I watched from the stands. This is what I love about Sri Lankans. We thoroughly enjoy our cricket. Regardless of whether we win or lose, we will still support out team. We won’t get mad or throw rocks at them. The whole atmosphere with the cheering, face painting, the Papare really gets the game going. I appreciate that. We also appreciate the game. The average Sri Lankan supporter is aware of the strategies and tactics of the game. And this makes the game more interesting. The Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka game had an amazing atmosphere.”
As a fan, what is the craziest thing you have done?
Hemal Kannangara: “I get super-superstitious. Once I locked my sister up in a room during a Sri Lanka vs. South Africa match. Alan Donald was taking a lot of wickets. She went out of the TV lounge and suddenly the wickets stopped falling. So I locked her in her room and didn’t let her out till the match was over and we had won. See it worked.”
Dilrukshi Fernando: “I have photo-stalked [Kumar] Sangakkara and Angelo Mathews an entire day. I’m not alone on this. There was a friend and she was just as determined.”
Udara Kotuwella: “I had the Sri Lankan flag painted on my entire face and walked around all over in public with everybody staring at me.”
Mahesh Senaratne: “The usual running to the pitch when we win a game is something everyone has done. I have locked a friend up in the loo. During the 20-20 World Cup Sanath Jayasuriya was struggling. She got up and left and then Sanath started hitting the ball. So I decided better keep her there. My brother is refusing to watch the quarter finals because it rained during the Sri Lanka vs. Australia match and he thinks he is the jinx.”
*Name changed on request
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