One Day Cricket With The World Cups In View
One day cricket has taken a significant meaning with the two World Cups around the corner. Many international sides have started their preparations with an eye on the “big one” in the sub continent. The Mini World Cup, the under 19 version will be held as a curtain raiser in New Zealand and perhaps some of these players who excel may make the squads, not as regulars but with an eye to wean them into the big league. To be in the dressing room with the big boys or their heroes will certainly lift their self confidence in the future.
Sri Lanka team sans some senior players came through against India and this augurs well for the near term. To beat India without the services of the in-form Dilshan was a great achievement. That Thilan Samaraweera showed maturity and capability in scoring with momentum and through the middle order is heartening. The new boy Thisara Perera can stroke the ball and he will be one to watch. That he has already been signed up for the IPL tourney is proof of his innings been taken seriously.
The ongoing tri series between India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh being held in India will also assist our lads to play in conditions that they would encounter in the second leg of the tournament. With Welagedara coming to his own the seniors who have been around are given a warning to come up with performances that would match to retain their places. Its early days yet to hazard a guess as to what the ideal combinations would be but it was heartening to see Mahela step up to the plate smartly as an opener in the game against Bangladesh. That the selectors are looking at innovative options is a good sign.
Renewed performances by the other teams also show that the Senior World Cup will be more closely contested. England has regained some strength though never having won the cup and Australia is on the mend. If Sri Lanka makes it into the next round and Dilshan and the frontline seniors come through we would be in with a good chance. Bowling…hmmmm…work has to be done.
