ICC Champions Trophy Team Preview – SRI LANKA

In the Recent Past, Sri Lanka is giving South Africa a run for their money to get the Chokers tag. They have lost the Finals in 4 ICC Major Tournaments in 5 years. They are the most unpredictable side in cricket and go into the tournament as underdogs. Their last Win in a ICC Tournament is way back in 1996 when they won the 1996 World Cup in the Sub-Continent. They are the most unpredictable side in cricket and go into the tournament as underdogs. Cricmatez.com brings you the Chances of Sri Lanka in ICC Champions Trophy 2013.

Sri Lanka’s History in the ICC Champions Trophy

ICC Champions Trophy Team Preview – SRI LANKA

Squad

Batsmen

• Tillakaratne Dilshan
• Mahela Jayawardene
• Dinesh Chandimal
• Lahiru Thirimanne

Wicket-Keepers

• Kumar Sangakkara
• Kusal Perera

All-Rounders

• Angelo Matthews(Captain)
• Thisara Perera
• Jeevan Mendis
• Dilhara Lokuhettige

Bowlers

• Nuwan Kulasekara
• Lasith Malinga
• Rangana Herath
• Shaminda Eranga
• Sachitra Senanayake

Strengths

• They have a right mix of youth and experience.
• They have the most experienced top order with the likes of Dilshan, Jayawardene and Sangakkara.
• Tillakaratne Dilshan has the Knack of Performing well in major ICC tournaments.
• Sri Lanka has a good bowling attack comprising of Malinga, Kulasekara and Herath.
• Presence of 3 good All-Rounders bring Balance to the side.

Weakness

• Form of Kumar Sangakkara remains a worry.
• Angelo Matthews lacks experience as a captain.
• In the recent past, they fail to handle pressure in crunch situations.
• In the recent Past, they are choking in the finals of major ICC Tournaments.

ICC Champions Trophy Team Preview – SRI LANKA

X-Factor
Not long ago, the cricket fans around the World saw how Nuwan Kulasekara rattled the Australian Top Order in their own backyard. He is Sri Lanka’s no.1 bowler in ODI’s. He has the ability to swing the ball a long way in both the directions. His incoming delivery to Right Handers is lethal. He is a kind of bowler who could swing the ball in any condition and given the conditions in England Suits seam bowlers, Kulasekara is the key to Sri Lanka who are looking to end their Trophy Drought. He can also use the Long Handle effectively and score quick runs with the bat when needed.

Watch Out For
Lasith Malinga’s presence in the team gives the Sri Lankans an edge in the tournament. He is most feared for his Toe-Crushers which are absolutely spot-on. He is one of the most Versatile bowler who could swing the ball effectively, can bowl short balls at will and most importantly varies his pace often to create doubts in the batsman’s mind. Along with these attributes, he has got a lethal Weapon in the form of Toe Crushing Yorkers. He can contain the Run flow towards the end of the Innings. He has a big role in Sri Lanka’s campaign in ICC Champions Trophy 2013.

Finally Sri Lanka’s Woes to find an All-Rounder who can score quickly towards the end of the innings and can bowl a decent spell with the ball. Thissara Perera has been doing this role successfully in the recent past. He has been equally good with bat and ball and he is a safe fielder as well. After his heroics for SunRisers Hyderabad in IPL 2013, a lot is expected from him the ICC Champions Trophy 2013.

Possible Playing XI
Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kusal Perera, Kumar Sangakkara (w.k), Mahela Jayawardene, Dinesh Chandimal, Jeevan Mendis, Angelo Matthews(c), Thissara Perera, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekara, Rangana Herath.

Schedule

ICC Champions Trophy Warm-up Matches, 2013

Group Stages ( Group-A)