Sri Lanka-S.Africa game should see a keen contest

Elmo Rodrigopulle in West Indies

World Cup: Two of the favourites for the World Cup, Sri Lanka and South Africa will look horns in the second game of the Super 8 series at the lovely looking National Stadium, here tomorrow.

The Lankans go into this game with an unbeaten record in the group matches, while the South Africans lost badly to Australia in their final group match.

The Lankans for their competent effort in the group stage take two points into this game and a win here will certainly put them in the frame for a fling in the final, if everything goes well.

The Lankans led admirable by Mahela Jayawardena are playing good, tight cricket as we saw in Trinidad and they must endeavour to play similarly against the Proteas. The Lankans one weak point is their running between the wickets.

They run competently, but tend to lose communication at times which could make them lose vital wickets.

Singles and rotating the strike can be upsetting to the opponents. But the running must be done with more responsibility.

Sanath Jayasuriya who blasted a century against Bangladesh, failed against India. But that is just a hiccup and he is determined to get back into his big hitting act.

He and Kumar Sangakkara must make it their business to make runs and show the way to the other batsmen. Opener Upul Tharanga is middling well and so are Chamara Silva, Russel Arnold and Chaminda Vaas.

Jayawardena's poor form is the only cause for concern. As long as the Lankan's are winning it wouldn't matter. However his captaincy is top class.

Chaminda Vaas and Lasith Malinga are using the new ball cleverly and getting the early wickets. Farveez Maharoof who missed the last game due to injury should be back to support Vaas and Malinga. Muttiah Muralitheran is looking unplayable.

As for the South Africans they would be smarting after their loss to Australia and would be determined to beat the Lankans. They have a well knit side. Run makers are A.B. De Villiers, Greame Smith, Jackques Kallis, Herchelle Gibbs and Mark Boucher.

Bowling will be in the able hands of Shaun Pollock, Makaya Nitini and Andrew Hall with spin from skipper Greame Smith.

The teams have respect for each other and the team hold their nerve should win. Incidentally Guyana was big news at one time because of the massacre that took place in Jonestown. In what has been described as the most bizarre tragedy 900 men, women and children committed suicide consuming flavour-aide and cyanide led by cult leader Rev. Jim Jones.

Three Congressmen who went to investigate the happening in Jonestown also lost their lives.

The Guyana National Stadium is a brand new facility built with Indias aid. The captain winning the toss would be in a dilemma, not knowing whether to bat or field.