Aussies will wilt under pressure:
Lankans can enter finals if they believe in themselves
Elmo RODRIGOPULLE reporting from Australia
The Sri Lankan cricketers stunned by their defeat by India in a
crucial game of the Commonwealth Bank Tri Series game at the Bellerive
Oval on Tuesday, arrived in Melbourne and immediately got down to the
nets.
At the time of writing it is dark and raining with strong winds,and
the forecast is for more rain, clearing at times and rain in the
evening.
Had the Lankans won that game in Hobart which was well within their
reach, they would have been singing having reached the best of three
finals. The final game in the preliminaries against Australia at the MCG
today, weather permitting is a must win game for Sri Lanka. Otherwise a
no decision or a tie will see Sri Lanka through to the best of three
finals on March 4 in Brisbane and 6 and 8 in Adelaide.
Must believe
The Lankans can win if they believe in themselves. After all the
Aussies are also human. They are not larger than life. They will wilt
under pressure.
The third final will be played only if the first two games are
shared. The good news is that every member of the team is focused to let
fly at the Aussies. Having beaten the hosts twice before, the Lankans
are confident that they can add to those victories.
The bad news is that all rounder Farveez Maharoof is out of this game
with a back problem. According to the media manager and manager of the
team Charith Senanayake, the replacement will be decided only on the
morning of the match.
Obviously the Lankans must be disappointed and shattered after the
Indian shelling, which makes us want to ask the question. ‘Should the
team have a psychologist with them? As for us the answer is ‘YES’. Over
then to Sri Lanka Cricket.
Maharoof out
‘It is raining and as to who will replace Mahroof will depend on the
weather and a look at the wicket’, said Senanayake. It is said that
cricket is a funny game, studded with the glorious uncertainties.
Lanka’s loss after making a massive 320 for 5, and then allowing India
to canter home by seven wickets inside 40 overs and earn a vital bonus
point and the four points that go with a win was unimaginable.
Now the Lankans must put that defeat behind them as a bad dream and
go hard at the Aussies in a game that they must win, if they hope to
play in the finals. A victory is not beyond their reach. All they must
do is to believe in themselves.
Prior to the Indian defeat, the Lankans played the more aggressive
cricket being ruthless in every department and not letting the opponents
dictate to them. But surprisingly that ruthlessness had deserted them
against India and it led to defeat.
Strong start
Once again if Sri Lanka were to bat first or if they have to chase it
is important that openers Mahela Jayawardena and Tillakaratne Dilshan
give them a strong start.
Jayawardena and Dilshan have been in the runs and it was it was good
to see Kumar Sangakkara getting into his run making act with a classic
century.
Another big knock is expected from him.
Runs are also expected from the consistent Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru
Thirimanne, Angel Mathews and Thissara Perera. All of them are capable
batsmen and must make it their business to make big scores and swell the
Lankan total.
The Lankan bowlers – Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekera, Thissara
Perera, Angelo Mathews and Rangana Herath had bowled admirably in the
previous game, but suddenly lost their line and length against the Virat
Kohli onslaught.
Wicket to wicket
The bowlers first priority is bowl wicket to wicket that is so very
essential in this style of cricket. Then they must bowl to their fields.
When the Indian batsmen began swinging their bats, the bowlers
forgot these two vital aspects and were thrashed all over the park.
No excuses here.
Even the fielders erred. Poor fielding has no place or excuses cannot
be made for a dropped catch or singles, twos or boundaries allowed.
If the fielding is poor then there is no way that a match can be won.
Arriving in Melbourne I gathered that the Lankans domiciled here will
be in their numbers at the MCG with the Lankan flags and the papare,
papare bands making one big din and cheering for a Sri Lankan Victory.
The cricketers will not lack for want of support.
Aussies smarting
As for the Aussies, they will not take Sri Lanka lightly. They will
not be satisfied being in the finals.
They are still smarting and will want to avenge their two earlier
defeats and will not give the Lankans any respite.
The Aussies have recalled aggressive paceman James Pattinson who will
partner Brett Lee and mount a pace blitz on the early Lankan batsmen.
There is still doubt about regular skipper Michael Clarke playing.
If Clarke is not declared fit, then Shane Watson who led them to
victory over India will be in the saddle.
Here’s hoping to see the Sri Lankan in the best of three finals.
Melbourne Cricket Ground, Thursday
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