Sri Lanka have not been on the radar a great deal of late, but they won a one day series in Australia earlier in the winter and unquestionably have the players to make a serious impact in the tournament.
Their bowling could be a problem. Murali will be desperate for a spectacular last hurrah but players on the point of retirement are seldom at the peak of the game and be is no longer the destroyer of the past. The much-hyped Ajantha Mendis is also not as bamboozling as he was, having been video-analysed to within an inch of his life, although he remains a very handy performer. Lasith Malinga is, of course, a freakish talent but there is a touch of the Mitchell Johnson’s in his accuracy. Their advantage, however, is that they have a wide variety of options. Sanath Jayasuriya has finally been pensioned off (having exceeded his sell-by date some time ago) which is a loss to the bowling, but Dilshan is an effective off spinner and Angelo Mathews a genuine all rounder.
The batting, however, has considerable potential. Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, both of whom will relish the conditions, will provide the class, Tillakaratne Dilshan can get them off to a flying start, especially if he re-captures the form of the 2009 World Twenty20, and there is plenty of power down the order, not least from that man Mathews. If they get some momentum then they will take some stopping.
Much will depend upon: Angelo Mathews. His tidy seam bowling will have an important role and they will be looking to him to score quick runs in the latter stages of the innings. If he has a good tournament then that will be a massive boost to Sri Lanka’s cause.
Verdict: Finalists
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