Time to take to cob webs of this thread. Can we win the World Cup guys, or did we just smack a very very poor English side 5-0. Personally i think it is both, looking back at the VB Series, we did match the Aussies in a lot of games, mainly on the back of Sanath, but we did push the world champions.
Looking at the series against England, im liking the look of our opening combinations. Sanath and Tharanga look like a perfect combinations and maybe even better then Kalu/Sanath or Atapattu/Sanath.
Malinga seem to have really grown as a bowler and he might find some similar pace friendly conditions in the Windies. Like Sanath/Tharanga i think that Malinga and Vaas is a perfect opening combinations. Attack from one end and containment from the other.
I also have to admitt i like the look Jayawardene captaincy, when i first saw him in Sri Lanka captaining North Central, he looked a very good captain and seems to have grown well into that role. I can't see Atapattu coming back, or even making the side, as a batsmen. So Mahela captaincy is going to very important. His move to number has been very good as well and i hope he moves there in Test too.
But for Sri Lanka to have any chance we need improve the performances of our 5, 6 and 7, for me their not doing enough and Dilshan is keeping his spot on the back of his bowling. The other major concern is our 3rd or 4th seamer bowlers, Maharoof and Dilhara really need to find another gear or level. ATM they are just doing servicable jobs if that.
I'll back Maharoof even though most people don't rate him. He can do a containing job and can score some vital runs down the order. For the other spot i personally rather then give Bandara the 4th bowler spot, but that unlikely, so i hope Ruchira can find some fitness and produce the form he should in Australia. If not i'll give Zoysa another run, for me Dilhara is a waste of space, nothing more, nothing less.
Your thoughts?