Lanka should enter final

Elmo RODRIGOPULLE reporting

The Sri Lankans who have played themselves into the semis of the ICC World Cup Twenty20 have it in them to front up to the mighty West Indians and beat them and enter the final. They must above all believe in themselves and then the pieces will fall right for them.

The Lankans convincingly beat the Windies in their first group game. But that does not mean that they should let complacency set in and make them take things lightly. Everything has been working well for the Lankans so far. What they have to do is plan strategy as to how they should go against the Windies and execute them well and victory and a fling in the final will be theirs.

Bowling wicket to wicket, cutting down twos into ones and taking the half chances should be the focuss of the Lankans. If they perform these requirements to a nicety there is no reason for them to go wrong.

The Lankan openers Tillakaratne Dilshan and Sanath Jayasuriya must curb their impetuosity early on and endeavour not to lose their wickets in the first six overs.

These are the power play overs when only two fielders are allowed outside the ring.If they bat sensibly, then they can hit over the top and give their side a solid start for the batsmen following to consolidate.

Dilshan is the leading run-getter in the competition putting into second place South Africa’s Jacques Kallis. Dilshan has been striking well and his peculiar stroke where he goes down on one knee and scoops the ball over the wicket keeper’s head is the talking point. The shot has been described as the “Saucepan shot”.

Jayasuriya must buckle down to getting a big score in this vital game. He has the experience and the temperament to come good. He must be determined and not swing blindly. Kumar Sangakkara has settled down admirably to the onerous job of captain very admirably and has got his teammates to perform and support him by example. His captaincy has been top class and his batting and glove work has been excellent. Another fine performance from him is expected.

The good thing in the Lankan batting has been the return to form of former Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardena. He got back into his run making act against Ireland and continued it against the New Zealanders. He is sure to be in the runs again.

It is time that batsmen of the calibre of Chamara Silva and Jehan Mubarak made it their business to come good and make runs. The Lankans experimented by sending Silva one drop against the Kiwis hoping he will come good.

But it did not work. It is hoped that all batsmen will deliver, like the bowlers do and take Sri Lanka into the final. Bowlers Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis and Muttiah Muralitheran have been bowling out of their skins so far and it is guaranteed that they will repeat. The fielders must support them and take the chances that come.

The Oval wicket has a tendency of slowing down as the game progresses and Sangakkara will be praying that the coin falls in his favour so that his team can bat first. As for the Windies, they must not be taken lightly. They have some wonderful performers in captain Chrys Gayle, Andre Fletcher, Dwaynne Bravo and the Guyanese Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shiv Chanderpaul who are superb batters.

The Lankans must not allow Gayle to get a move on but dismiss him early. He is one batsman who can devastate any attack when in the mood with his unbelievable hitting. If the Lankans get him early, then half the battle is won.

Dwaynne Bravo, Sarwan and Chanderpaul have their weaknesses and could be stalled. Of the Windies bowlers the most dangerous has been Jerome Taylor. But then he can be faced and runs scored off because the moment he concedes a boundary he goes awry. Over then to the Kennington Oval and god willing a Sri Lankan victory. Kennington Oval, London Thursday