Sri Lanka upbeat as Zimbabwe lie in wait

Sri Lanka are doing their best to maintain an upbeat attitude as they face potential giantkillers Zimbabwe in what is a make or break World Twenty20 clash for the islanders here on Monday. Zimbabwe, fresh from stunning warm-up wins over defending champions Pakistan and Australia, make their entrance into the World Twenty20 proper against Sri Lanka.

Defeat for the Lankans would mean last year’s losing finalists leaving the competition at the group stage, following the Asian side’s two-wicket defeat by New Zealand on Friday.

“If we win every game from here we’ll be champions,” said Sri Lanka coach Trevor Bayliss. “But there’s no room for any more mistakes.” New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori put Sri Lanka’s position into context by saying of his team’s nail-biting win: “It’s pretty big because otherwise the last game becomes do or die.

“Zimbabwe have shown their hand by beating Australia in the first warm-up game so are obviously competitive in this format.”

Meanwhile Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara was looking for an improved showing from his batsmen who, Mahela Jayawardene apart, failed to fire against New Zealand.

“We were a bit slow in the first six overs which put us under a lot of pressure,” said Sangakkara.

“We probably lost a bit of momentum in the first six overs and that was vital to try and kick on and keep the momentum going.” Zimbabwe, who beat Australia at the 2007 World Twenty20, are a team on the up and appear to be recovering from the political and racial disputes which have so weakened the side in recent years.

Veteran left-armer Ray Price is the most experienced spinner. He is backed by the off-spin of skipper Prosper Utseya and newcomer Greg Lamb and the leg-breaks of Graeme Cremer.

Hard-hitting left-hander Andy Blignaut has been recalled after five years and he and Elton Chigumbura, who made a dashing 76 in the warm-up win over Australia, will be expected to provide Zimbabwe with quick runs.

PROVIDENCE, Guyana, Sunday (AFP)