Heartbeat of twenty million
Just only two days more to go to the commencement of the 4th edition of the World T20 cricket championship which will begin at the lush greens of Sooriyawewa, picturesque Pallekele and at the bustling capital of Colombo.
Sri Lanka having played in three World Cup finals with all the matches taken place away from our homeland and the citizens were able to view only on television. At all three finals Sri Lankans flocked as one family watched the silver screen expecting positive results.
The unity and corporation that was exhibited by our nation was evident at the moment when Arjuna Ranatunga glided a ball through the vacant slip area to win the Wills World Cup in Pakistan in 1996 and in 2005 Tsunami – the unfortunate catastrophe that claimed thousands of lives. Wherever and whenever our cricket team was in action, all activities in Sri Lanka will come to a standstill as the majority of Sri Lankans will follow the progress of the match.
Playing before the home crowd – the cheering, the sound of bands and the noisy echoes will boost the courage of our team. That paves the way to for skipper Mahela Jayawardene to play his well timed cover drives that kiss the turf with power. Then the follow up from the ever reliable Kumara Sangakkara, improvised but sure stroke play and the talents Tillekaratne Dilshan, young and busy Chandimal, fighting and entertaining batting of Angelo Matthews and the lusty hitting of Thi- sara Perera. While in bowling thunderbolts and toe smashing swinging yorkers of slinger Lasith Malinga, on the spot bowling of Nuwan Kulasekera, the finger mystery deliveries of Ajantha Mendis and the magical spells of Rangana Herath are sure the bewilder any opposition.
It’s a pleasure to our team to play in the presence of our home crowd which gives them extra courage and strength and this was evident on the performance of our team when they play at packed stadiums.
The entire nation would be expecting a big gift from our cricketers whenever they are provided with an opportunity to witness an international final on our home soil. Lakshman Ranasinghe
Nawala