Sri Lanka Thread

[Prince EWS]

I dare say Herath would be subbed out of the side of he wasn't going to be fit for the quarters. He'll play IMO.

 

[Maximas]

I think we need to pick Kula over Lakmal. Lakmal might bowl better early but he is completely unreliable at the death. Kula isn't Malinga, but he is more likely to get it right and could be the difference between chasing 350 and 330. This is unlikely to happen though. As likely as Thisara not being trusted with the death overs - which is low.

Well we finally got it right and picked an appropriate amount of batsmen today, I think with Thisara at 7 someone who can bat at 8 is handy, plus his ability to swing the ball is always valuable IMO

 

[Flem274*]

thisara has no value. weakens the batting and weakens the bowling.

 

[Maximas]

The fielding too

 

[YorksLanka]

The fielding too

He took so e good catches in the last game so that jay be a bit harsh..agree he is in woeful form with bat n ball tho..

 

[viriya]

The SL line-up for the knockouts should be:

Dilshan, Thiri, Sanga, Mahela, Angelo, Kusal, Thisara, Kula, Sena, Herath, Malinga

I would've had Ajantha over Sena if he had been in the squad based on Sena's average performances so far.

 

[viriya]

I just hope if SA beat SL in the quarters they actually go on and win the whole thing after winning a knockout game for the first time and believing in themselves. I'd take that over another SL final loss tbh.

 

[viriya]

The team SL should've had for the knockouts:

Tharanga, Dilshan, Sanga, Mahela, Angelo, Thiri, Maharoof, Herath, Kula, Ajantha, Malinga

 

[Maximas]

The batting is non-existent below 6, don't think I like that

 

[Dan]

Maharoof, wow, that's a name I (thankfully) haven't heard in a while.

Might have been useful for some serious jamminess tbh.

 

[Flem274*]

thirimanne at #6? Are you nuts?

I named this pre-tournament (well slogger has now become Tharanga) and I'm sticking with it.

Dilshan, Thirimanne, Sangakkara (wk), Mahela, Mathews, Chandimal, Tharanga, Kulasekara, Herath, Senanananananananananananayake, Malinga

Kula gives you Perera's cameo biffing but can also bowl a cricket ball. Seven batsmen strengthens the death overs issues. Mathews and Dilshan sharing ten overs is fine, and the two specialist spinners are good enough for Sri Lanka to get away with that scheme in Oceania.

 

[viriya]

The batting is non-existent below 6, don't think I like that

Maharoof is a more reliable bat than Thisara though, so I don't think it's as bad as you think.

 

[Dan]

Maharoof is a more reliable bat than Thisara though, so I don't think it's as bad as you think.

I can't say I've ever had even the slightest bit of confidence in Maharoof's batting. He's a genuine #8. As is Thisara, in fairness, but at least Thisara has a higher ceiling when he actually does do something.

Bowling, well, I suspect Maharoof would jam a few more wickets than Thisara, but he wouldn't be a massive improvement in that spot.

 

[viriya]

I can't say I've ever had even the slightest bit of confidence in Maharoof's batting. He's a genuine #8. As is Thisara, in fairness, but at least Thisara has a higher ceiling when he actually does do something.

Bowling, well, I suspect Maharoof would jam a few more wickets than Thisara, but he wouldn't be a massive improvement in that spot.

Maharoof is a more reliable version of Thisara.. which is not saying much though since Thisara is as unreliable as they come.

 

[Dan]

Maharoof is a more reliable version of Thisara.. which is not saying much though since Thisara is as unreliable as they come.

Yeah, he's a 'safe' option. You know what you're getting, and it's jammy and mediocre. But it doesn't have the occasional payoff of a match-turning innings that Thisara has in him.

I like Perera about as much as you do; it seems to be the one SL cricket thing we agree on

 

[Flem274*]

this is like arguing whether it's better to set yourself on fire or set yourself on fire.

the correct answer is you don't set yourself on fire.

 

[viriya]

I think SL should take a risk and pick Chameera over Kusal. Trust the top 6 to make the runs and hope Thisara comes off. Then unleash an unknown and hope he comes off. Don't see them winning the whole thing any other way atm.

 

[Flem274*]

i like charmander but you're not unleashing trent boult here. you're hoping adam milne wins the world cup for you with no practice.

it's malinga and herath you need at full fitness. senanayake and kula both in form would improve your chances exponentially as well. you just have to back proven quality and hope it rediscovers it's class before next weekend.

 

[viriya]

i like charmander but you're not unleashing trent boult here. you're hoping adam milne wins the world cup for you with no practice.

it's malinga and herath you need at full fitness. senanayake and kula both in form would improve your chances exponentially as well. you just have to back proven quality and hope it rediscovers it's class before next weekend.

tbf Milne could win it for NZ too.

 

[Flem274*]

He could, but that's because he's got lots of overs and good performances under his belt. We know and he knows he can get good players out and blow away lower order biffers with his pace.

We also don't plan on dropping a batsman to cover for him.