Group B - Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Bermuda

[Mahindinho]

ANd yet SRi Lanka have won only 2 of their last 10 games against the Indians.....including losing their most recent series. Yes I know Murali and Vaas were missing but India were also not playing their first eleven in that series.

Can't honestly see how India are "far worse".

India aren't "far worse", and the SL side who got thumped a while back is seemingly very different to the side of the last 10 months.

What I took exception to was classing SL as one of the minnows. They're not.

 

[Richard]

"Far" worse was something of an exaggeration, ITBT.

 

[Salamuddin]

"Far" worse was something of an exaggeration, ITBT.

Fair enough :-)

Wouldn't surprise me if Sri Lanka produced a strong World Cup performance though....

 

[JASON]

I seriously think SL should consider squad rotation against Bermuda, to make use of it as another practice match.

So My choice against Bermuda would be -

Atapattu
Arnold
Mahela
Sangakkara
Chamara Silva
Dilshan
Maharoof
Vaas
Bandara
Dilhara Fernando
Kulsekera

That would mean Sanath, Tharanga, Murali and Malinga will not play. But that would give the guys who are struggling to get runs (ie Mahela, Atapattu,Arnold) a longer time in the middle , while Dilhara, Bandara, Kulasekera will get a go.

 

[Lostman]

the way that things are shaping up with mahela it looks like it will be a repeat of the last WC

 

[dinu23]

I seriously think SL should consider squad rotation against Bermuda, to make use of it as another practice match.

So My choice against Bermuda would be -

Atapattu
Arnold
Mahela
Sangakkara
Chamara Silva
Dilshan
Maharoof
Vaas
Bandara
Dilhara Fernando
Kulsekera

That would mean Sanath, Tharanga, Murali and Malinga will not play. But that would give the guys who are struggling to get runs (ie Mahela, Atapattu,Arnold) a longer time in the middle , while Dilhara, Bandara, Kulasekera will get a go.

thats not a bad idea...

 

[Laurrz]

Leverock to take 6 wicket haul and restrict Lankans to 180 all out where they chase it down within 45 overs

:P

 

[alternative]

JASON thats a good side you have put up there, i agree that side for Bermuda but their second minnow match against Bangladesh should be full strength IMO.

 

[Pup Clarke]

I seriously think SL should consider squad rotation against Bermuda, to make use of it as another practice match.

So My choice against Bermuda would be -

Atapattu
Arnold
Mahela
Sangakkara
Chamara Silva
Dilshan
Maharoof
Vaas
Bandara
Dilhara Fernando
Kulsekera

That would mean Sanath, Tharanga, Murali and Malinga will not play. But that would give the guys who are struggling to get runs (ie Mahela, Atapattu,Arnold) a longer time in the middle , while Dilhara, Bandara, Kulasekera will get a go.

That is never,ever going to happen.Why take a risk?.Especially against an unknown quantity albeat Bermuda are a very poor side.If you take out these 4 players it will severely weaken the X1.This IMO would be disrespecting the so-called "minnows"

 

[adharcric]

That is never,ever going to happen.Why take a risk?.Especially against an unknown quantity albeat Bermuda are a very poor side.If you take out these 4 players it will severely weaken the X1.This IMO would be disrespecting the so-called "minnows"

As far as I'm concerned, you usually go out there to defeat the opposition and strengthen your team, not respect the opposition.

 

[Pup Clarke]

As far as I'm concerned, you usually go out there to defeat the opposition and strengthen your team, not respect the opposition.

Yes I meant they should play as strong a side as possible.But not rest certain players just because it was Bermuda.This is a WC and not a warm up match.

 

[StumpMic]

I seriously think SL should consider squad rotation against Bermuda, to make use of it as another practice match.

So My choice against Bermuda would be -

Atapattu
Arnold
Mahela
Sangakkara
Chamara Silva
Dilshan
Maharoof
Vaas
Bandara
Dilhara Fernando
Kulsekera

That would mean Sanath, Tharanga, Murali and Malinga will not play. But that would give the guys who are struggling to get runs (ie Mahela, Atapattu,Arnold) a longer time in the middle , while Dilhara, Bandara, Kulasekera will get a go.

I very much doubt that the SL selectors are ever going to rest four key players in one match. They're rather conservative in that regard and although we have seen them resting one or two players in recent matches I don't think they will go so far as to rest 4 players. And Arnold is not struggling for runs. He got ~65 in one match against India recently and saved Sri Lanka's neck.

Another way to look at this is that if they play a full strength team then they can finish the match early and gain a breather that way.

 

[StumpMic]

the way that things are shaping up with mahela it looks like it will be a repeat of the last WC

Well there is one difference with Mahela this year and that is that he is making a major contribution as a captain. The guy has got to be the smartest SL captain since Ranatunga.

 

[JBH001]

True, however he really does need to get some runs this time around as there is a fragility about the Sri Lankan side that I do not like seeing.

I believe 3 is the best spot for him at the moment, as it allows him time to settle in and build an innings - he is by no means an instant dasher. Moreover, if Marvan is unable to make it as an opener then I doubt that he should be batting lower down. His position should be somewhere 1 - 3 certainly not any less. Sanga should take the 4 spot and Silva should take the 5 spot with Dilshan/Arnold to follow and so on.

One thing does give me a little hope though. The fact that Mahela has been having a poor run of form for a while now may mean that he is due some form - and that that form may come about at the ideal time, that is right in the business end of the WC.
*crosses fingers*

I do believe though that this SL side is being over-rated in this competition. Mahela returning to form would go a good deal towards rectifying that.

 

[Adamc]

Hmm. Longest over in WC history?

 

[pasag]

Crazy stuff with the no balls here 14 deliveries in the 3rd over from Hurdle.

 

[chaminda_00]

Someone is a bit nevous, or was he watching Dilhara in the nets?

 

[pasag]

Jayasuriya goneee.

 

[Adamc]

Should've been a second too, simple chance dropped by Leverock.

Edit: plumb LBW turned down, Mukuddem again.

 

[chaminda_00]

Hmm 2 down now Hurdle gets Tharanga