Old problems resurface for Sri Lanka in World Cup warm-up

by Rex Clementine

Sri Lanka suffered a heavy seven wicket loss to Bangladesh in their first World Cup warm-up game in Guwahati on Friday and have an opportunity to address some of the issues when they take on Afghanistan in another warm-up game at the same venue on Tuesday.

The former champions failed to utilize the full quota of 50 overs, a problem that they have encountered for quite some time now. Test captain Dimuth Karunaratne had been drafted into the ODI outfit in a bid to bat through the innings, but during the warm-up game, he was batting in the lower middle order instead of opening.

Sri Lanka’s preferred choice to open batting was Kusal Perera and Pathum Nissanka and maybe that’s the combination they are going to stick with during the tournament.

KJP had got off to a flying start making 34 off 24 balls but had to retire hurt with a right shoulder injury. The injury is not thought to be serious, but the player has been out of cricket for a considerable time in the last two years due to injuries.

Sri Lanka are already without key bowlers Dusmantha Chameera and Wanindu Hasaranga, both of whom are injured.Maheesh Theekshana, who is recovering from a hamstring injury is expected to travel to India on the 4th of October lead up to Sri Lanka’s opening fixture of the tournament against South Africa in Delhi.

Captain Dasun Shanaka again failed to fire having been dismissed for three runs off 17 balls. Sri Lanka have resisted moves to sack the captain just before the World Cup but if his wretched run continues the selectors will be left with Hobson’s choice.

Bangladesh chased down the target of 264 with eight overs to spare. The manner in which the run chase was achieved is further indication that conditions will be batting friendly in India during World Cup and unless teams post scores of 300 plus, they are going to struggle.

Sri Lanka will play two games each in Delhi, Bangalore and Lucknow while they also have got games at Hyderabad, Pune and Bombay.

The 13th edition of the World Cup gets underway on Thursday with a game between 2019 finalists England and New Zealand in Ahmedabad.

Since reaching the finals in 2011, the Sri Lankan team has failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the sport’s showpiece event. They were losing quarter-finalists in 2015 and were knocked out in the opening round in 2019.