http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 captain Kumar Sangakkara eying final spot ahead of semi-final clash against New Zealand
Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara is buzzing with confidence as his team prepares for its semi-final clash against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 set to take place at the Premadasa stadium in Colombo.
The Sri Lankans trounced England by 10 wickets in the fourth and final quarter-final of the World Cup on Saturday. The opening pair of Tillikaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga smashed the POMS to all parts of the Premadasa as the hosts hunted down the target of 230 runs with consummate ease.
Sangakkara is hopeful that the team would continue its stellar show in the crucial match. A win would ensure the participation of two Asian teams in the final of the 50 overs World Cup for the first time. The second semi-final is set to be played between arch rivals India and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 at Mohali the following day.
The Sri Lankan captain was elated with the pounding of England. He thinks that the team has the ability to strangle the Black Caps in a similar way, yet a lot of hard work is required as the New Zealanders themselves are on a high after dismantling the South Africans in the third quarter-final played at Mirpur on Friday.
“We've shown everyone what a good side we are and to do that we got to play good cricket.” Sangakkara said. “Psychological advantages and all of that comes second place when it comes to playing proper cricket and good performance on the field. On Asian pitches fitness counts a lot, that's one of the major factors you got to reckon playing in this heat.”
Sangakkara is also excited at the prospect of playing three spinners in the match against New Zealand, the Black Caps are equally limp against quality spinners and would have their task cut out the same way the English had in the knock-out game.
Sangakkara added after the game against England that the slower bowlers were the ones who spelt doom and in Asian conditions it was more important to stock the team with attacking options.
“Playing three spinners proved successful.” Sangakkara said. “All the bowlers bowled well to get wickets. We made the decision in the last minute to play three spinners. Today the wicket had dried out very nicely so it made the decision very much easier.”
The Sri Lankan skipper stated that his bowling line-up has the balance and the skill set to trouble the best in the business. He added that the faster bowlers in the team: Lasith Malinga, Kulasekara, Dilhara Fernando were also capable of causing a lot of damage.
On the other hand, the Black Caps would enter the match with nothing to lose; even reaching the semis is a huge achievement for a team that was outclassed by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747 in three different series in the sub-continent last year.
The wicket is set to be a square turner once again and given the fragility of New Zealand’s batting line-up, the Sri Lankans would be overwhelming favourites for the contest which can give them their third berth in a World Cup final.
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