Kiwis a different kettle of fish in limited-overs:
Sri Lankans jolted by India defeat in warm-up
Elmo Rodrigopulle Reporting from England
The Sri Lankan cricketers who are keen to do well and who are exuding
confidence of making it to the semi-finals of the IC Champions Trophy in
England would have keenly watched the action that was unfolding in the
England versus New Zealand one-day international at Lord’s on Friday.
England, New Zealand and Australia are in group ‘A’ with Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka begins their campaign with the first game in Cardiff on
June 9 against New Zealand.
Of the two groups the group that Sri Lanka is in is the toughest
group. New Zealand who was thrashed in the Two Test series by England,
showed and proved that they are different kettle of fish in the limited
overs game by surprising England and beating them.
England are playing in their own backyard, while New Zealand have
been in England for some time now and know what the conditions are in
England. The Kiwis have figured in a final before.
On Saturday the Sri Lankans fronted up to India in Edgbaston and
after making a massive 333 for 7, yet lost to India who cleverly chased
the target and got home making 337 for 5 in 49 overs.
But that loss should not worry the Lankans much. It was called a 15-a
side warm-up game and could be best described as a limb loosener. Yet it
was a defeat from Tillekeratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela
Jayewardene and Dinesh Chandmal all smash runs.
But the bowlers Nuwan Kukesekera who is expected to lead the firing
squad, skipper Angelo Mathews, Shamindra Eranga, Thisara Perera and
Sachitra Senenayake going for easy runs, with India’s prolific run
getter Virat Kohli 144 and Dinesh Karthik 106 not out knocking them
around with ease.
But what would have been of worry to the Lankans would have been the
showing of New Zealand against England. New Zealand with their bowlers
bowling good line and length restricted the strong England batting to
227 for 9 in 50.
When New Zealand in reply lost their first wicket that of opener
Ronchi early, it looked as though the England bowlers would defend their
modest total. But Guptil blazed away to make a century and help the
Kiwis surprise the homesters by making 231 for 5 in 46.5 overs.
The Kiwis would have got their game right in this style of play after
losing the Test series and when it comes to meeting the Lankans will
take the field exuding confidence and the Lankans better not take them
easy.
The first casualty in the ICC Champions trophy was New Zealander
Trent Boult. The ICC Event Technical Committee has approved Ian Butler
as the replacement Boult who suffered a side strain against England and
the Kiwis will miss his lively left arm seamers.
The ICC Event Technical Committee comprise – Geoff Allardice (ICC
Chairman),Campbell Jamieson (IDI Representative), Steve Elworthy (
Tournament Director), Alan Fordham (Host Representative), David Lloyd
and Sourav Ganguly (independent Nominations). |