Preview
Sri Lanka versus Canada
Venue: Mahinda Rajapaksha International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota
Group A Match
Sunday’s day-night game of group A between Sri Lanka and Canada will be classic example of heavyweights taking on minnows. The tussle between a team craving for recognition and another in pursuit of a world cup glory will mark Hambantota Stadium hosting its maiden One day International.
Sri Lanka players have along been stating that taking Canada lightly will be mistake.
Canada players, on the other hand, would want to give good account of themselves at the world stage and show world what they are capable of.
To contain batsmen like Sangakara and Jayewardene and score against likes of Malinga, Murli and Mendis, however, will not be an easy task.
Sri Lanka
Top of Form
The current Srilankan team might not be as flashy as one that won the maiden title back in 1996 but talented enough to lift the world cup. The flamboyance of 1996, that Jayasuriyas, Kalutharanas and Desilvas provided, has been replaced by the cool and professional Sanagakaras, Jayawardenes and Murlis. There is a ere of calmness about this squad that exhibits disciplined work ethics and stresses more on performance part of the game than frenzy part of it.
Batsmen would try to make sure they get big scores against the weaker Canadian bowling line up and time in the middle is what they will be happy with.
If India is tipped to be overwhelming favourites to win the 2011 edition, Srilanka isn’t far behind with players in the squad who are more than capable to challenge any cricket team.
Home conditions to play with, Lankans have the class, depth and resources to make best use of what is on offer. They have the best off-spinner ever to have played the game in Murlitharan, batting partnership of Sangakara and Jayewardene and one of the top limited overs’ fast bowler going around in Lasith Malinga. Their fielding is perhaps the best among the sub-continent teams.
Squad: Kumar Sangakara Capt & Wkt), Mahela Jayewardene, Tilkeratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Thilan Samaraweera, Angelo Mathews, Chamara Kapudegera, Chamara Silva, Thisara Perrera, Muthaih Murlitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Rangana Herath, Nuwan Kulasekra, Dilhara Fernando and Lasith Malinga
Coach: Trevor Bayliss
Canada
Least ranked among the teams participating in the world cup, 2011, Canada is one of those teams, big sides would be wary off. With Sri Lanka not knowing much about its players, Canada, like other minnows, would like to more than making up the numbers in this encounter.
Ashish Bagai, Canadian Skipper, has already stated his team’s wish to cause upsets during their stay in Srilanka, where the side will be playing most of the matches.
The team is a combination of young players who will be mentored by senior members like Ashish, John Davison and Rizwan Cheema.
Rizwan Cheema did his reputation no harm in a warm-up game against England by hammering English bowlers to all corners of the ground and he would like to repeat the dose against Lankans.
It will be altogether a different prospect for Cheema and his team mates to score against Murli and Co and bowlers have to be right on money to stop Lankan strong batting line-up from scoring big runs.
The team comprises players of India, Pakistan and Srilankan origin, meaning they will have the feel sub-continent pitches and weather.
Bowling duties will be carried by Khurram Chohan and fastest bowler in the Canadian ranks, Henry Osinde.
The Indian born duo of Balaji Rao and Parth Desai will make be their main men in spin department.
Squad
Ashish Bagai (capt/wkt), Rizwan Cheema, Harvir Baidwan, Nitish Kumar, Hiral Patel, Tyson Gordon, Henry Osinde, John Davison, Ruvindu Gunasekera, Parth Desai, Karl Whatham, Khurram Chohan, Jimmy Hansra, Zubin Surkari, Balaji Rao.
Coach: Pubudu Dassayanke
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