Having recorded a some-what shocking win over the hosts and the pre-tournament favourites England in their previous game, Sri Lanka will be hoping to build on that momentum when they take on South Africa in their 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup tie at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street, Durham on Friday.
The Islanders came to the World Cup as literal no-hopers with even their fans back home barely giving their side any chance of doing good at the World Cup. But after two losses, a win and two washed out games, the team led by Dimuth Karunaratne should have enough reasons to believe that they can make it to the semi-finals with a positive result in the remaining three games. Sri Lanka are currently seventh, but two points would take them straight up to fifth, just below England, a team struggling to find results in the competition of late.
But for that to happen, a lot will ride on two of Sri Lanka's key players, Karunaratne and veteran pacer Lasith Malinga. While Karunaratne has been scoring runs heavily for his side, somewhat giving a fitting reply to all his critics who called him unfit to lead the side at the World Cup, Malinga seems to have found his lost mojo at the right time. Though he might have lost his pace, his accuracy and the ability to hit the right areas on a consistent basis is what has made Malinga stand out so far. And against the Proteas, the Lankans will be hoping for some more of that from their favourite son.
While the Islanders have something to fight for in the competition, their opponents for Friday, South Africa, will have nothing but pride at stake.
Having lost five of their seven games in the competition so far, the Proteas, along with Afghanistan, are the two teams knocked out of the World Cup. While in the past, one would have blamed their fate or one bad show on the most important day for their poor show, this time though it’s been a collective downfall.
Neither the batsmen nor the bowlers have impressed and it’s no surprise that other teams have strategically torn the South Africans apart. The top order has failed miserably, while the middle-order, sans an odd performance from Rassie van der Dussen, have flatter to deceive. Among the bowlers, while Imran Tahir has been consistent, going on his run post taking a wicket quite often, none have had a good outing in England.
Feature image courtesy: AFP Photo/ Dibyangshu SARKAR
