Indian bash victims fight for pride
Sri Lanka’s ace in pace Lasith Malinga should be ready for the World Cup says Sri Lanka Cricket. SLC’s Chief Executive Officer Ashley de Silva speaking to the Sunday Times said “Since being operated by Dr. David Young at the Melbourne Orthopaedic Centre after his foot injury he sustained while turning out for the Mumbai Indians in the Champion’s League Tournament, he is back with the squad and is doing a bit of light training, which includes an approximately 45 minute walk.
“However according to the Lankan physiotherapist Steve Mount, the bowler should be in match condition by mid January and in all probability should be fit for World Cup selection.”
The 31-year-old fast bowler played his last T-20 match for the Mumbai Indians against the Northern Districts on September 16 this year and has been out cricket since. He played his last International for Sri Lanka on 14th August at Pallekelle when Sri Lanka took on Pakistan.
Meanwhile the other Lankan specialist seam operator Suranga Lakmal also has recovered from his stress related problem on his left foot. His rehabilitation was handled by Steve Mount.
De Silva commenting on Lakmal said “Lakmal is training with the squad, but he will not be considered for selection in the early part of the England series, but may make a comeback in the latter half of the series” When asked about the status of the Kumar Sangakkara issue, de Silva said “he has not said anything officially about his retirement, all what I have learned is what I have read in the newspapers”.
However Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee Chairman Sanath Jayasuriya said “Yes, we had a brief discussion on that subject, but at the moment the status quo remains”
In the pre common candidate bombshell, the Sangakkara retirement topped the local news, but it was not quite clear about real position and Sangakkara did not officially announce to such effect either rather than saying that he could not see him playing international cricket beyond the 2015 World Cup while speaking to CNN.
Angelo Mathews and Alastair Cook have certain achievements in common, as captains. Their teams, Sri Lanka and England, are coming into action after series thrashings by the same opponent, India.
Now it will be time to test the skills and recuperate, when they meet on Wednesday in the first of the seven-match One-Day International series at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium under lights.
The clash will be crucial for Mathews and his bunch of men as they are taking the field after nine days since the Indian whitewash.
The blemish in Sri Lanka’s effort was the way they handled themselves against India.
The Lankans made team experiments against India but what they have learnt out of that experience is the question at hand.
Sri Lanka lacked consistency in all departments, especially in bowling and fielding. The seniors as usual proved that they were the dependable lot. But as a unit they hardly clicked except in the final game which was a thriller.
These facts may affect the hosts but playing under home conditions, the Lankans have provided themselves with an opportunity to bounce back.
Mathews was optimistic at the pre-series press conference that he and his team could leave behind the nightmares they experienced in India and look at the England ODI series with a brand new mindset. Sri Lanka’s final squad of 15 men will be announced after the second practice game at the P. Saravanamuttu Oval today.
Seniors Mahela Jayawardena, Kumar Sangakkara and TM Dilshan will be obvious inclusions. What the selectors would do to fill in the opener’s slot and the mid- dle order will be the greatest mystery yet to unfold. After failed tryouts the Lankan pace bowling attack will definitely make a contrasting change to give the Englishmen more pressure. Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath will be back in action but the decision on the return of off-spinner is still unknown.
Cook and his men on the other hand would not make things look easy for the Lankans. Though they suffered a 1-3 series defeat against the Indians back home, they had ample time since August to shape themselves out. Missing paceman James Anderson can be a setback but they are well equipped with a host of good bowlers and batsmen that could threat the Lankans.
Likewise the hosts, the visitors will make use of the only opportunity that they come across prior to the World Cup. They will not let the Sri Lankans dance at their own will despite playing host under totally different conditions from England and Australia or New Zealand where the World Cup is slotted to take place.
Under Cook’s captaincy England fields a squad that consists Moeen Ali, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Jos Buttler, Steven Finn, Harry Gurney, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Eoin Morgan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, James Taylor, James Treadwell and Chris Woakes.
The first two games will be held at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on November 26 and 29 before the teams travel to Sooriyawewa for the third game on December 3. They will return to R. Premadasa ICS on December 7. Both teams will go down to Pallekelle to play the fifth and sixth games on December 10 and 13 before the seven-match tour winds up at R. Premadasa ICS on December 16.