Not the Super Rugby. That’s here too. But the Cricket World Cup.
Somehow, with elections. Genocidal resolutions. Sri Lanka’s terrible form, I feel that this is the least hyped World Cup probably since 1999. The cricket buffs are obviously talking about it, but people don’t really seem as enthused. Is that because there’s more going on with them, or because there’s not a lot going on with the team? Either way, the apathy is a foreboding sign for Sri Lankan cricket. Because even if we are losing, people should be getting het up about it.
SL V NZ
On form, the Black Caps should take this easily. However, Hagley is a ground we’ve played at quite a bit and home advantage will not be a huge issue against a team that’s spent a couple of months in the South Island already. It is also a small ground where power hitters – of which NZ have plenty – should hold sway.
Although they did thrash us 4-2 in the 7 match series, the Black Caps were not really that exposed to either Rangana Herath or Lasith Malinga. I feel the management was playing their cards close to their chests on that front. Coming out tomorrow with your best bowlers, and (hopefully) your fastest bowler in Chameera, may make a difference to what NZ have gotten used to.
With Duleep Mends’ statement yesterday about the ‘surprise element’ I’m beginning to wonder whether there’s some skullduggery up the sleeve of Angelo Mathews’ camp. I love that word. Skullduggery. I’d like to be a skulldugger one day.
If that is the case, what are the surprises that SL can pull. Well MJ opening would one such surprise. For a guy who gets a bit grumpy when things are not going well he seems strangely calm. And knowing how much he has wanted to open, and his general coyness about the state of things, we may just…just…see that happening. Also Mahela’s just had a chat with Richie McCaw, and who knows the legendary All Black may just have inspired him. They are also watching the Crusaders today, and who won’t be inspired by the poetry in motion that is any firing Super Rugby side. The option maybe Jeevan Mendis opening. With Thirimanne batting down the order. Could happen. Who knows.
I really hope Dushmantha Chameera plays. Along with him, Sri Lanka will play Herath and Malinga. Hopefully. They should. They will also probably play Senanayake. So Angelo and Thisara will have to bowl some overs, unless Sri Lankan opt to go with a 6/5 combo and play their six specialist batsmen. The demoralising loss against Zimbabwe showed that we still can’t tell our best players apart.
The problem with this World Cup preparation so far, is that we’re no closer to knowing whether our best combination is 7/4 or 6/5 or who should make up that 11, than we were in India many moons ago. Aiyo. Typical. Maybe the surprise element Mendis was talking about will be the players being surprised as to who’s playing.
New Zealand on the other hand have plenty of options. Except McCullum’s opening partner, they are pretty settled. With Brendon taking on dictating the pace of the game and Kane Williamson forming the backbone of their batting with Ross Taylor. Their power hitters in the form of Ronchi and Alexander have shown that they can play long innings and Vettori – if he plays – can certainly bat. Even the final game they lost, they lost by a very slim margin.
The thing about cricket, and potential rain, is that it’s such a lucky game. And based on preparation and form, we’d need a bit of luck. But I think our guys might just dig into this one. They just might.
