Starting a new series from today till the start of the world cup, where in I shall put my 2 or 3 Sri Lankan paise on every team that matters in World Cup campaign. In short, analyse every team and run down their chances in the world cup or run up their chances.
Starting with the romantics' favorites and one of the world cup co-hosts Sri Lanka.
SL is set to play 5 of its 6 games in its home ground and none of them at SSC. And they would have to play all 6 games to have a chance to go to the next round this time. Unlike 1996 when they qualified to QF on back of the 2 forfeited games and that helped them reach out as champions in the end.
No volatile war situation and security concerns now for them.
They are grouped in group A with Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand and minnows Canada, Kenya. They shall murder Canada and Kenya ruthlessly. So they have to beat just 2 of the rest 3 teams to go ahead to the Quarters. Pakistan and NZ would be the ones to lose out to the spin quartets of SL. If Sangakara would have his way he would pack his team with all spinners and just one fast bowler in Malinga if he is fit.
Their first game is vs Canada, which they hope would score 450+ runs and bowl the Canadians out by 70 odd and win by 380 runs. Quite possible.
They next play Pakistan and they would fancy chances against a team who has yet to have a captain named for the world cup. Although its going to be Shahid Afridi, but Butt thinks he is not in the news for long time now, so he has to create some drama and he is doing just that.
SL team:
Sanga, Jayawardhena, Dilshan, Kapugedara, Angelo, Muralitharan, Malinga, Fernando, Herath, Mendis, Kulasekara, Perreira, Silva, Samaraweera and Tharanga.
Opening pair
Dilshan and Tharanga would open the batting in most games unless Sangakara has a brain freeze and he promotes his chaddi buddy Mahila to the top.
Middle Order
Sangakara, Jayawardhena, Kapugedara, Silva / Samarweera would form the middle order.
Fast bowlers:
Malinga, Perreira would be sureshot starters. Mathews, if fit could be the 3rd seamer.
Spin:
King of spin Murali would be sure starter in all games lest he is injured and he would be partnered by one of Bow Wow Mendis or Colored Herath.
Chances:
They would maul Canada, Kenya. They might succumb to unpredictable Pakistanis and might get past the Kiwis too given they have been pathetic in the subcontinental ODIs. It would be tough to beat Australia, though they would be looking forth to avenge 1-2 defeat in the home series.
The only game they play outside SL is the league game against Kiwis in India. 3 of their games are at R Premdasa stadium, 1 in Hambanatotatata and 1 in Wankhede, Mumbai. Yes Wankhede is in Mumbai.
They can go to QF, but with the form they have been in 2008, 2009 and 2010 they look impossible to go beyond that stage.
And if they dont do that, this would be the end of Kumar Sangakara as the captain of Sri Lanka. And a respite for us of his character rants.
Lets see how much character stock Sangakara has gathered in 2 months when he was quiet and didnt play any cricket. Oh no he was playing with his balls, only in the bed room.
