Forget the past debacle, come out victors

Elmo RODRIGOPULLE reporting from England

It is essential that the Sri Lankan cricketers raise their game all round if they are to stay in contention for the NatWest Trophy when they play England in the Second of Five one day internationals at Headingley, Leeds here today.

They gave a pathetic display in the first game at the Kensington Oval on Tuesday, losing to the home team by a big margin of 110 runs in a rain shortened game. They must now forget that debacle and come back firing all cylinders, if they are to come out victors in this one.

When the Sri Lankans previously toured England under the clever leadership of Mahela Jayawardena, they skinned England five-nil in the one day series which was a great achievement. That they will not be able to do similarly this time round is sad.

Pressure is what this style of game is all about. The Lankans will do well if they win the toss, to bat first put up a formidable score and put England under pressure, asking them to chase a target every over. A side is under no pressure when batting first.

Calling correctly

The Sri Lankan skipper Tillekeratne Dilshan has the knack of calling correctly and it will be interesting to watch his decision if he wins the toss again.

With the great Sanath Jaasuriya having played his last game, it is likely that the Lankans will toss in

According to Selector on tour Duleep Mendis, talented wicket keeper batsman Dinesh Chandimal is likely to be slotted in for Sanath Jayasuriya who retired from one day international cricket.

Chandimal has scored a one day hundred against India which was a boundary peppered 111 in 2010. He has also scored 112 against England’s under 19 and 244 against South Africa ‘A’.

When the Lankans lost their first four big batting guns, Dilshan, Jayasuriya, Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakkara for just 15 runs chasing 232 in 32 overs for victory, the game was good as over. Jayawardena is sure to open with his skipper and a strong opening is essential.

The main Lankan batsmen must be determined to come good. They cannot expect the tail enders to do their job. If the top order concentrates on the task ahead runs should flow from their bats. Let’s hope they will deliver.

The bowlers led by slinger Lasith Malinga must concentrate on bowling wicket to wicket and to their fields. Bowling both sides of the wicket could cost a lot of runs, which the Lankans cannot afford to give. The fielding, especially on the ground was tops.

England led by Alastair Cook are out to clean sweep the Sri Lankans and avenge their previous 5-nil defeat. Cook has been taken to task by former England and dust in the pocket captain Michael Atherton who denounced Cook as a ‘plodder’ with the bat and ‘a bit of a donkey’ in the field. Cook hit back by saying: “It takes one to know one, I suppose”.

Cook’s elevation to lead England in the longer version of the one day game came as a surprise, considering that he is a slow bat without the correct temperament for the one day bash. He will have to prove himself with bat and as leader if he hopes to retain his captaincy role.

Opener Craig Kieswetter is proving his credentials for this style of game. He likes to go over the top and packs power in his shots. But the batsmen Sri Lanka will do well to dismiss early are Kevin Pietersen, Eoin Morgan and Ian Bell. They can be devastating if allowed to score.

Morgan a left hander has all the strokes. He cuts, hooks, drives and has the rare knack of picking gaps in the field and lofting the ball very intelligently. He is a treat to watch when in full cry.

As for the bowling England will again rely on James Anderson to come good. In the previous game the Lankan batsmen found him unplayable. He bowls wicket to wicket with good control and line and batsmen find him difficult to counter. The Lankans must deprive him of wickets in his early burst.

The rest of the England bowlers are not that penetrative. If the Lankan batsmen put their heads down and play as we know they can, there is no reason why they should not run up a big score and put England under pressure, win this one and stay in the picture.

At the time of writing, the weather is fine. Like Mary and the little lamb, the fickle English weather has followed the Lankan cricketers every where they have played so far. The Lankans will be looking for the sun on their backs here in Yorkshire to perform to capacity. Leeds, Yorkshire, Thursday