Jayawardene confident ahead of World T20 opener – Cricket News Update
Sri Lankan skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DPMD-Jayawardene-c1397 is not reading too much into the fact that his side has not won even a single trophy in the shortest format of the game, and is confident of pulling off the feat this time around.
"There's always first time, isn't it," said the Sri Lankan skipper as the hosts gear up to take on minnows Zimbabwe in the 2012 T20 World Cup curtain raiser, at Hambantota on Tuesday, September 18. "No one has done it, so maybe it's
our time to turn it around and make it first," the top-order batsman added further.
Sri Lanka’s best finish in the T20 World Cup is reaching the final in 2009, in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c749, where they were defeated by Pakistan. Jayawardene rated his side among the favourites to clinch the coveted trophy this time around.
"We're one of the favourites, we are part of the pack," insisted the 35-year-old top-order batsman. "You know if we get into a good momentum we could go all the way. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 is a cricket crazy country and the expectations would be high ... we have to accept
that," he added further.
India, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 and Sri Lanka are the three Asian cricketing giants. Whilst the first two have already clinched one title apiece, in 2007 and 2009 respectively, the Lankans are yet to claim theirs.
Twelve teams, divided into four groups of three each, will be competing in the latest instalment of the global event. Top two teams from each group will proceed to the Super Eight stage.
The Island nation is hosting the latest edition of the marquee tournament and Jayawardene and men – drafted in Group C, along with Zimbabwe and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 – are relishing the home advantage ahead of the esteemed tournament.
The other two subcontinent cricketing giants, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 and Pakistan have been drafted in Group A and D respectively, ensuring that the Lankans would not have to face them until the semi-finals.
Jayawardene also warned his side against complacency in the tournament opener against lowly ranked http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Adrian-Roger-Kirshaw-Pierson-c42135 to our game plan and
try to execute it.”
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