Sri Lanka in World T20 - The Lions have plenty to roar about this time around (Part 2) - Opinion
Yet Sri Lanka is much more than just Dilshan’s flamboyance. Their overall strength is another reason to believe as to why they would be billed as favourites, this time around. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AD-Mathews-c913 is a fine example of, raw, all round talent in the team. Matthews
has evolved over the years as an amazing player and is nearly indispensable to the side. His lower-order batting and ability to bowl in the corridor of uncertainty with impunity, has helped him notch up some memorable performances for his side. Not many would
forget how Matthew’s managed to manhandle the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 in the ICC World T20 Semi Final at the Oval, where he snared 3 wickets for just 1 run in the first over. His athleticism in the field is also exemplary, and his status as Sri Lanka’s best all-round
cricketer will never be disputed. Perhaps his nearest rival would be Thisara Perera, who’s monstrous hitting, and bowling exploits have made him a weapon that could be deployed with good effect. Other players who could chip in with both, bat and ball include
the emerging Jeevan Mendis, and Dilshan himself.
The weapon that Sri Lanka has at their disposal for the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SL-Malinga-c2540. He is fast, fearsome and has the ability to deploy throat piercing bouncers and toe crushing Yorkers with ease. The advantages that he has as a big
match player, are unparalleled by other players, where http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Umar-Gul-c94604 of Pakistan, is probably the closest that any bowler could get to matching Malinga’s stature. The man with goldilocks has had the ability to string a match winning performance out of the blue,
and has single-handedly won games for his side. Malinga’s performances, his impact on the field and his body language, have been so significant for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 that it is hard to imagine the team playing T20 cricket without him.
Sri Lanka also boasts the best fielding side from the subcontinent. In addition to their ability to play in taxing conditions, the men in dark blue, have come up with some outstanding fielding efforts to win games out of nowhere. One can think of the all
round prowess of Thisara Perera, and his match-winning catch against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 in the recently concluded series between the two countries. That effort and similar breathtaking catches by players such as Angelo Matthews, could well and truly light up stadiums
around the island, and would hint at what Sri Lanka has to offer in the T20 format of the game this time around.
The only thing that does not act in Sri Lanka’s favour is their recent form. The team was routed by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 in their own den, recently, and the manner in which they succumbed to outlandish pressure has been disappointing. The Indian team had shown in the T20
leg of the series that beating one of the most formidable teams in the world was not impossible, if one http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ian-Hunter-c1571 to the basics. For teams watching that series, they could draw a lot of heart from how Sri Lanka capitulated under pressure, and they would need
to ensure that the team does not gallop away with the game early on.
The key would thus, be to stifle this side which oozes with talent and class. Only then can the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Lions-c808 of the subcontinent be caged in their true essence. For now, there is plenty to roar about for the men in dark blue, as they take on the world on their
home turf.
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