The India-Sri Lanka encounter, the second for both teams in the Super Sixes, comes after a pretty ordinary first game for both teams. Sri Lanka were steamrolled by the Australian juggernaut, while India made heavy weather of beating Kenya. To add to Sri Lanka’s woes, they might have lost the services of their captain Sanath Jayasuriya for the next two games after he was hit on the forearm by Brett Lee.
When the tournament started, I had said that Sri Lanka win only 30 percent of their overseas games, and were therefore not really a force to contend with in this World Cup. A fine win against New Zealand proved me wrong, and I was impressed with the way they held their nerve during that rain-filled climax of their game against the hosts. Jayasuriya played a stellar role on both occasions, with a century against the Kiwis and by marshaling his resources well against the hosts.
It will be very difficult for the team to get on with the game in his absence. The Lankans have other good batsmen, but only Marvan Atapattu and Aravinda de Silva have found any kind of form. The biggest disappointments for them must be Mahela Jayawardene and Kumara Sangakkara. In the absence of Jayasuriya, India will know that getting Atapattu and de Silva will be crucial.
For India, their performance against Kenya must have washed off the hangover of their win over Pakistan. They fielded very poorly, and did not inspire much confidence with the bat either. Saurav Ganguly fired just in time for his team, and they avoided the embarrassment of losing to the Kenyans. Once again, I was amazed at the way the Kenyans fielded. They also benefited a little from bowling second, though the ball did not do as much as it had when England beat Pakistan at the same venue.
India will have to lift its fielding by a few notches in the future games, starting with today’s encounter at The Wanderers. The outfield here is so quick that a lapse within the circle always results in a boundary.
It is interesting to note that these were the two teams that made it to the finals of the ICC Champions Trophy a few months ago. Both sides were in top form right through that tournament, but went through disastrous tours a little later. They have made a good start to this World Cup, and it must be remembered that Sri Lanka beat West Indies and New Zealand before tying with South Africa. This is why I was disappointed by the way they bowled to the Australians. Chaminda Vaas and Dilhara Fernando were both inaccurate and lackluster against Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting. Is the Aussie reputation intimidating opponents? I hope not, but the next fortnight will give us the answer.
Arab News Sports 10 March 2003
