How to go about to win the World Cup

Rev Bro Nimal Gurusinghe FSC

In 1996 when we won the World Cup, not only the players but also all the Sri Lankans were happy and made merry for a long period of time. All of us are waiting to see that our lads repeat the same feat on Saturday, April 2, 2011.

That will be a great joy and a red letter day to our country and to all Sri Lankans. When we look at our team and the conditions we are playing it is a golden opportunity for our lads. Hope they will not let go this rare chance.

Now our selectors have finalized the final fifteen. So we have to make use of them to win this prestigious World Cup. One thing is sure it won't be easy. No team will allow us to beat them easily. Therefore our lads will have to put their heart and soul and play every game. All the players should know their responsibilities and deliver accordingly.

From now onwards our team must plan out a strategy to bring this cup to our motherland. There cannot be any injuries in the team. All the players must be fit and they should be in good health. That is very important to play this game. Among the players unity is very essential.

It should prevail throughout the tournament. If our players are divided we will fall and we will miss the World Cup. Every player must do his part to his very best.

No batsman can throw his wicket, especially at crucial moments. Also when a batsman is in top form he should not gift his wicket to the opponents. Staying at the wicket till the end is very necessary. They have to make sure that they do not get run out. Bowlers have to bowl line and length all the time. There cannot be any wides or no balls. If a team bowls too many wides or no balls, that team will not succeed. If they do that they are gifting extra runs and extra balls to the other side.

Our fielding has to be excellent. Our fielders have to be alert on the field from the start to the end. They cannot afford to miss a single catch or a run out. Even every half chance has to be taken. When you field like a champion side your opponents are always under pressure. According to my opinion Sri Lanka has the best fielding side. We must make sure of that advantage to carry all before us.

Before we go for every match our players should make a study of all the strong and weak points of top class batsmen through technology. Then we can attack them accordingly. That will help us to topple any good batsman. This is the way we can restrict any batting line up to a modest total.

Dear cricketers we are all behind you. Our blessings are with you. Show your colours and keep our lion flag flying. We have the talent and the will power to do so. Now it is up to you to go to the middle and fight it out.

Please remember that there are no short cuts to success. Your hard work, dedication and commitment will help Sri Lanka to conquer the world cricket plum.

My best wishes to our lion hearted Cricketers to be their very best during the ICC World Cup Tournament.