Australia v Sri Lanka - 4th ODI – Sri Lankan batsmen to watch-out for
Sri Lanka and Australia are going to play the crucial 4th ODI of the series of five matches today, August 20, 2011, at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. The match is set to start on 6:55 GMT.
This is a make-or-break game for the Lankan http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Lions-c808, as defeat will take the series out of their hands. On the other hand, the Kangaroos are keen to win today at every cost in order to avert the pressure that a failure may put on them.
The visitors lead the series 2-1. After losing the first two matches, the hosts staged a stunning comeback and won the 3rd ODI emphatically by 78 runs. Now, they want to replicate the same winning legacy in today’s match as well.
The only strength of Sri Lanka is their rock-solid batting line-up which has some legendry game changers and match winners.
Here we make an analysis of Sri Lanka’s batting gurus who are likely to make impact in today’s important competition.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/TM-Dilshan-c2691 - Maverick Openers
Tharanga and Dilshan form an excellent opening pair which has worked exceedingly well for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 in the 50-over format of the game.
Sri Lanka’s convincing success in the last game was owed to the duo as they forged a partnership of 139 runs with Tharanga making 111 and Dilshan adding 55. Both the players seem to be in great form along with having extra-ordinary batting skills.
Tharanga, being a left-hander, likes to play cut and mid-wicket shots. He possesses a lot of talent but lacks maturity as he gets brash suddenly and resorts to playing risky shots which lead him to getting caught. He takes spinners like the hot cakes but
pacers disturb him a little.
The 26-year-old batsman has played 124 ODIs so far, scoring 4056 runs that include 12 tons and 19 half centuries.
Dilshan is a sensible and cool player who first judges the fielding positions and then hits the ball accordingly. After elevating to the leadership position, he has become more responsible and meticulous.
He is a right hander and plays towards off-side comfortably. It was Dilshan whose fabulous batting steered his side to win the two T20Is against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 before the start of the current series
Dilshan’s 282-run partnership with Tharanga in the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 Cricket World Cup 2011 serves as an inspiration for batsmen in the 50-over game.
The 34-year-old has 212 ODIs to his credit with 5567 runs. The skipper is likely to unleash his maximum in order to level the series 2-2.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DPMD-Jayawardene-c1397 – Two jewels of the top order
The experienced and talented Jayawardene and the former skipper Sangakkara are two strong pillars of the Sri Lankan top order. Both are highly professional and constantly performing batsmen, who always display responsible play.
Sangakkara is a brilliant wicketkeeper batsman, who always plays according to the demands of the situation.
His favorite shots include cuts and pulls. Being a wicketkeeper, he plays more carefully and hardly risks getting stumped or caught-behind.
After relinquishing the leadership role, Sangakkara is now focusing more on his batting. He played very well in the last match but, unfortunately, lost his wicket when he was just one run short of his 66th ODI fifty.
The 33-year-old left hander is going to play his 300th ODI today and has 9502 ODI runs to his credit.
Jayawardene is an excellent right-hander with a fine mixture of aggression and sensibility. He loves to play cover drives and cut shots, hardly sparing a ball and keeps scoring constantly as long as he stays on the crease. His only weakness is his tendency
to edge the ball. If he survives it, he is likely to do well against the Aussies bowlers.
Jayawardene did a good job in the 3rd One Dayer and piled up 36 runs with the help of 3 fours and one six. Now, he is geared up to extend his momentum to today’s match.
The 27-year-old, who made his ODI debut in 1998, has played 350 One Day Internationals so far, scoring 9789 runs, which include 15 centuries and 58 fifties.
Last Word
The above-mentioned batsmen are padded up to change the fate of their side against the World’s No 1 ODI team in the 4th and decisive match today. The confidence they have gained from their last victory is likely to help them put in their best
today.
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