by Rex Clementine

Legendary basketball coach Phil Jackson is given the cold shoulder by Chicago Bulls General Manager Jerry Krause, who ahead of the 1998 NBA season says no matter how strong the team finishes, this will be Jackson’s last season. The Coach names his final season ‘The Last Dance’. It’s beautifully captured in the Netflix series. Sri Lankan cricket team’s Head Coach Chris Silverwood is on his last series as well and you wonder what would the Yorkshireman call his last hurrah.

There’s been a lot of optimism surrounding the Sri Lankan team this time around not seen in a while. While Wanindu Hasaranga’s side is a far cry from being spoken in the same breath like India, Australia or Pakistan as tournament’s leading contenders, they could create an impact in the 20-nation competition.

To start with, the wickets in the United States and the Caribbean will be to their liking. Extra bounce or extravagant movement are areas that Sri Lankans fear like the plague, but none of that will bother them this time.

A well drilled unit playing in helpful conditions without any pressure is a side to be wary of.

Sri Lanka’s biggest strength is their fast bowling resources. Dushmantha Chameera is consistently quick and leads the attack but Dilshan Madushanka will be the cynosure of all eyes. The left-arm quick had a fabulous World Cup last year in India and ended up being called up by Mumbai Indians.

Matheesha Pathirana is Sri Lanka’s match winner. Playing thunderbolts coming at you at 150kmph is so tough work but it becomes really complicated when those deliveries are sent down with an awkward action. Sri Lanka unleashed Lasith Malinga in the Caribbean during the 2007 World Cup and he turned the tournament upside down. You get the feeling that this is Pathirana’s turn.

Not often do we see a bowler being sidelined from the playing eleven after taking a hat-trick in his last game. That exactly is the fate waiting Nuwan Thushara as he is likely to be back up to Pathirana. His time will come though going deep into the tournament.

Captain Wanindu Hasaranga has reached new heights in his career as he has been named as world’s number one ranked all-rounder in T-20 cricket. That is a precious crown to have lead up to a major global event. A leg-spinner is always a good addition to the squad. Although Hasaranga has struggled a bit on flat surfaces, you always learn moving along. Maybe it’s time for Hasaranga to play a contain role letting quicks to attack. He is of course mercurial with the bat doing a terrific job in his new role as floater.

Kamindu Mendis is a superb addition to the squad. Given the package that’s on offer with him, it’s puzzling how the selectors had ignored him for so long. If not for their negligence, Kamindu would have become a regular all-format player by now. Upul Tharanga has done a good job in backing the all-rounder. While he can clear boundaries square of the wicket, the options he provides with the ball are too tempting.

Pathum Nissanka had a cracking start to the year. Early this year, he broke Sanath Jayasuriya’s long standing record for the highest individual score and went on to become the first Sri Lankan to post a double hundred in ODIs. If his merry making continues, we are in for a treat.

In India last year, Kusal Mendis started the World Cup with a bang and there were signs of him becoming the mainstay of Sri Lanka’s batting. Soon after that he was burdened with captaincy and the big runs eluded him. Now he plays without the pressure of leadership and it’s time for him to turn things around.

Charith Asalanka has been outstanding the last two years. He’s been consistent and clinical bailing out the side while batting first after the top order had collapsed and then has scripted some famous wins during run chases. Together with him Sadeera Samarawickrama holds the middle order together. Sadeera is also earning a reputation as the team’s best fielder although he can keep wickets as well.All in all an exciting tournament is on the cards for Sri Lanka. There’s unfinished business against South Africa and it’s going to be a cracking game on Monday.