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| Friday, 17 September 2004 |
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Lanka to fire on all cylinders against England Elmo Rodrigopulle reporting from England Rose Bowl, Southampton, Thursday - The Sri Lankans who realise that the game against England will be a make or break affair, will fire all cylinders so that they can dump the hosts and enter the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy here tomorrow. The Lankans overcame strong winds and biting cold at the Oval to get past Zimbabwe and the weather at the Rose Bowl looks similar to what they faced at the Oval. In the Zim game they did not perform as we know they can. They were wanting in many aspects. Skipper Marvan Atapattu would have told his troopers where they went wrong and every member would have got the message. They had the Zims by the jugular at one time, but let them wriggle out by not concentrating. They conceded too many runs in the closing overs and made it difficult for themselves when chasing. The fielding was first class, while the bowling and batting could have been better. Against England they will have to tighten all screws and fight the hosts with fire. Openers Sanath Jayasuriya and Avishka Gunewardene were out to utterly irresponsible shots. One hopes they have learnt. They must make it their business to give their side a strong start, so that the others such as Atapattu, Sangakkara, Jayantha, Jayawardene, Dilshan, Chandana and Vaas could consolidate. In the bowling Chaminda Vaas failed to get the breakthrough that he usually achieves. But he will be different in this vital game. Along with Vaas, Soysa and Mahroof must not try too hard and go awry. They must aim wicket to wicket or bowl on one side of the wicket. Sangakkara and Chandana took classic catches and this helped them maintain a high standard throughout the game. Spinners Chandana and Jayasuriya must also bowl a tight line. True the conditions would favour the home team. But if the Lankans take good aim there is no reason why they should not hit the target that is England and destroy them. England have been on a roll helped by the Windies. They have pride and prestige to protect because they are strong favourites with Australia to keep with them the trophy. England always succumb when it comes to pressure situations. They haven't won a major trophy and will take the field spewing venom. What the Lankans must do is to keep their cool and do rightly the things required in this style of game. England are quite strong in their bowling, but the same cannot be said about the batting. Vikram Solanki, Andrew Flintoff and Paul Collingwood are the ones the Lankans would do well not to let them get going. Flintoff has been excelling with some consistent big hitting. He is one who can take the game away from the Lankans. Collingwood has a liking to Sri Lanka bowling. He is in good form. England bowlers Stephen Harmisson, Darren Gough and Flintoff have been among the wickets with their nagging accuracy and teasing movement. Harmission has the ability to get the ball to climb at the rib cage, while Gough packs a wicked off cutter. Flintoff has a nasty in dipper. But if the Lankan batsmen play them on merit they can be nullified. England will have a lot of ground support. But the Lankans too will have most of the Lankans living around the London area who will be there in all modes of transport, waving the Lion flag and shouting themselves hoarse urging the cricketers on. England are favourites, but the never-say-die Lankans can upset. Whatever the result, a good game of cricket is on the cards. |
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