Sri Lanka vs. New Zealand: A SWOT analysis of the batting line-ups - Part 2 – ICC World Cup 2011
Sri Lanka’s batting department is constituted by Upul Tharanga, Tillakarantne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara.
Tharanga and Dilshan combine to make a strong and consistent opening pair that is in tremendous form in this tournament. Both the players have established the two longest partnerships of this tournament. Their marvelous skills came in force against the English
in the last quarter-final game that they won by chasing the target of 230 runs without losing a single wicket.
Tharanga is a left-hander and loves to play cut and mid-wicket strokes comfortably. Though he is talented, but sometimes seems unable to control his aggression, as he plays unnecessary aerial shots that lead him to get caught-out. He plays spinners well,
but the pace bowlers disturb him. Tim Southee has the ability to hamper him and restrict the runs.
Dilshan is an aggressive talented batsman. Being a right-hander, he likes to play off-side shots. One of his favourite actions includes stepping ahead and hitting the ball out to the boundary. Dilshan has a natural temperament to stay in the crease long
and form a strong innings. Apart from his 144 against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045, he has developed the largest partnership of 282 with Tharanga. His over confidence can sometimes turn to be his weak point, as he tends to play bad shots and make silly mistakes. If he plays sensibly,
Dilshan is likely to amass a big score against the Kiwis.
Jayawardene and Sangakkara are the two other pillars of Sri Lanka’s batting line-up. Both are reliable, sensible and responsible players. The left-hander Sangakkara is leading the team with his cool temperament, as he plays meticulously with an eye on the
ball and the other on the fielding positions. His favourite shots include cut and pull drives. Sangakkara is also a wicket-keeper and his experience behind the stumps helps him tremendously when he is in with the bat. Caught-behind is his major weak point.
If he overcomes it, he will score a lot of runs against New Zealand.
Jayawardene is a right-handed batsman with a beautiful blend of aggression and sensibility. With his cover drives and cut shots, he keeps the score card ticking. He has been instrumental in most of his side’s victories. His weakness lies in inside-edging.
If he can concentrate on avoiding this mistake, he will definitely take the fight to New Zealand. Nathan MacCullum has the ability to bowl some variations which can possibly cause problems for him.
There is no denying the fact that Sri Lanka’s top order is formed with some of the most skilled batsmen. Their two long opening partnerships of 282 and 230 runs are evident of the fact. The top four batsmen are can be really dangerous and have the ability
to cause a big upset to any team. The middle-order can be shaky at times, as the spinners usually take control during this part of the innings. Nathan McCullum indicated that he will try to rip through the top-order in a bid to get the middle-order in early.
On the other hand, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 are looking to repeat their performance in the 1996 World Cup. It will be
an exciting match as both teams battle it out and go for the elusive trophy.
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