Not many people know but beach cricket on Sri Lankan islands is as much popular as is the field cricket. That is the first reason why Sri Lankan International cricket team has such flexible fielders.
Come down to batting where you will find Sanath Jayasuriya - just the name is enough. Marvan Atapattu, the former captain is playing more matured role of middle-order batsman, whereas the leadership is under the commands of Mahela Jayawardene, a smart, passionate but struggling for form middle order bat.
Add Kumar Sangakkara to it, who according to me is the 3rd best wicket keeper batsman in CWC07. Chaminda Vaas is as accurate as ever, but it's Muthiah Muralitharan you need to watchout for - if you are an opposition supporter. Sri Lankan captain use his 10 overs in 4 if not 5 spells, just to make sure he gets the supply of wickets whenever he needs..
SriLankans have a history of struggling mid-way though the Cricket World Cups. 1996 is past, and they must learn how to keep winning and then win some more. Their middle order batting looks little weak, but no one can deny their fighting spirit to come back while bowling.
Another name I must mention here is Farveef Maharoof. Watching him bat in India vs Sri Lanka series just days ago - I have to say he is much improved batsman now. He hits straight and Tom Moody has worked well to bring out a fine in-swinging bowler in him. Farveez Maharoof is under-rated name which you must work on before going into a WC 07 match.
All World Cups record
46 ODIs in previous 8 World Cups matches have fetched only 17 wins for the islanders. They lost 27 of them and also managed a tie against South Africans in 2003 WC. That was a rain effected match, and that tie made sure Srilankans go ahead whereas host RSA were thrown out.
I feel like adding Sri Lankan past performance in West Indies which says - 3 wins from 5 ODIs. This means that Srilankan cricket team always finds Caribbean conditions favourable to them. Beaches and sand is exactly what they find back home, and World Cup 2007 will be ideal platform for them.
Big matches in CWC 2007 :
Srilankans play Scotland on 5th March and Kiwis on 9th March as their World Cup warm-up matches. When the real tournament starts - SL vs Bermuda match is the one you can miss, but Ind v SL World Cup 2007 match at Trinidad on 23rd March can't be missed. That will be a weekend starters.. Friday.
Sri Lanka play their super 8 matches against South Africa on 28th, West Indies on 1st April and England on 4th. The Cricket WC 07 will start to hot up with super 8 matches SL v NZ on 12th, Aus vs Sri Lanka WC ODI at Grenada on 16th April. You must note that as Srilanka vs India ODI will be played in the group stages itself, it won't be repeated in Super 8's round of Caribbean World Cup.
Sri Lankan World Cup Squad
Although I have mentioned quite a few names earlier, click on the players you may need to know more about for their profile.
Sri Lankan CWC07 squad
Mahela Jayawardene (capt)
Kumar Sangakkara(wc)
Farveez Maharoof
Chaminda Vaas
Sanath Jayasuriya
Nuwan Kulasekara
Upul Tharanga
Dilhara Fernando
Marvan Atapattu
Lasith Malinga
Russel Arnold
Tillakaratne Dilshan
Muthiah Muralitharan
Chamara Silva
Malinga Bandara
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