SL Favourites in Sanath's Last Hurrah (Preview)

Sri Lankan all-round performance in the only t-20 international at Bristol could well have given an indication of role reversals in the limited overs leg of their tour to England. The home team was holding all the aces in the test series with Sri Lanka always having to chase the game. Saturday’s match, however, was indicative of gulf between the two sides in one day cricket.

Undoubtedly, the tourists are a far superior than their counterparts when it comes to the limited versions of the game.  Runner ups in recently concluded world cup, Sri Lanka are a balanced side, that has firepower, class, depth and, more importantly, wicket takers in the bowling unit. In contrary, the perennial under-performers in the format, England have long been struggling to get a right combination. Consequently, there is nothing to write home about their performances.

Likewise in t-20 cricket, England cricket administrators have gone for wholesale changes in fifty over format. Oldies like Andrew Strauss, Matt Prior and Paul Collingwood have been dispensed with paving a way for some fresh legs. In line with Coach Andy Flower’s schemes, England are building a team that will have a real dash at 2015 world cup.

Strauss’ axing meant a new ODI skipper. Surprisingly, reins were handed over to opener Alastair Cook who is yet to cement his place in the ODI’s. Often dubbed as a test cricketer, Cook will have to make runs, at a good pace too, to earn respect of his charges and English fans.

The five match series against Sri Lanka starting on Tuesday marks a new beginning in English cricket and for Cook to make an impression he will have to assign suitable roles to his wards. England’s real problem, over the years, in the ODI’s is their inability to keep scoreboard ticking over in the middle over. A sort of stagnation takes place and all the good work by the top order is squandered or too much is left for batsmen to do in the end overs. To resurrect that, likes of Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen and Eoin Morgan need to take responsibility and Cook needs to fire at the top.

A good fielding side, England will need to bowl well in death overs if they are to match Sri Lanka. James Anderson has failed to repeat his test match heroics in ODI cricket and as a leader of the pack he needs to step up. English spin department seems to be in good hands with Graeme Swann supported by comeback man Samit Patel capable to turning things around for England. If England want a headstart in their pursuit to achieve glory, they will have to play as a team and match strong Lankan side in every department.

If the hosts are looking for a fresh beginning, Tuesday will mark end of an era for Sri Lanka. One of their greatest cricketers, Sanath Jayasuriya will be donning the Lankan colors for one last time. The swashbuckling left hander who stands second to Sachin Tendulkar in the all time ODI run scorers and proud holder of many other records will be keen to have his willow wielding in the manner that has made millions around the globe his fans. The game changer at the top could well set the tone for the series and dusk away with one typical Sanath innings.

Emotional Lankan side will be charged up as well. They will dearly want to give Sanath a winning farewell. The tourists look altogether a different side with the return of Lasith Malinga and all-rounder Angelo Mathews. Mathews adds flexibility to the side and Malinga depth and teeth to the bowling unit. Clearly, English batsmen looked uncomfortable against Lankan attack on Saturday and couldn’t get the desired total on the board. And ultimately lost the game in what was in the end a lop-sided affair.

It was Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawerdena that emerged stars in their batting effort. And the good form of the duo isn’t a good news for the home team. In all likelihood, regular skipper T Dilshan is all set take his place after recovering from a finger injury that kept him out of third test and t-20 game. His comeback means some muscle at the top and with having some young batsmen in Thilan Kandambi and D Chandimal Sri Lanka looks a side with all the bases covered.

As of now, chances of Sanath ending on a winning note are bright but Cook and his boys, surely, will be full of other ideas.

ENGLAND SQUAD: Alastair Cook (capt), James Anderson, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Stuart Broad, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn, Craig Kieswetter, Eoin Morgan, Samit Patel, Kevin Pietersen, Graeme Swann, Jonathan Trott, Chris Woakes.

SRI LANKA SQUAD: T Dilshan (c), T Kandambi, K Sangakkara (wk), M Jayawardena, Sanath Jayasuriya, D Chandimal, J Mendis, Dimuth Karunaratne, Thissara Perera, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekera, Suranga Lakmal, Damikka Prasad, Suraj Randiv, Ajantha Mendis, Angelo Mathews.