Sri Lanka Team analysis for 2015 World Cup: Experience speaks for them

Sri Lanka Team analysis for 2015 World Cup: Experience speaks for them: We talked about Pakistan and we talked about England. Today, it’s the turn of another Asian giant Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka was not a late entry to the World Cricket but it took a lot of time for them to shed the tag of minnows and become a potential force amongst other Test playing nations. 1996 World Cup was the turning point for Sri Lankan cricket. They entered the tournament as a dark horse and went on to win the World Cup under the leadership of Arjuna Ranatunaga. After that, there was never a looking back for Sri Lankans. They have been one of most consistent teams in last two World Cups finishing runner-up in both the editions. Let’s have a look at Sri Lankan squad.

Batting

Led by Angelo Mathews Sri Lankan batting line up has Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dimuth Karunaratne, Jeevan Mendis. Sri Lanka seems to have the right batting combination with Dilshan at the top, Jayawardene and Sangakkara in the middle and Mathews in lower end. The biggest strength of Sri Lankan batting is the experience they have in combined. In the Australian and New Zealand conditions the batting line up requires that kind of an experience to see off the tough phase and attack at the right time. Sri Lanka is currently playing in New Zealand which will give them a hang of the conditions. With Jayawardene and Sangakkara playing their last World Cup will like to earn one more feather in their cap by winning the World Cup. In my opinion Sri Lanka has the right batting line up with loads of experience which can take them home in any situation or set a platform for the victory.

Bowling

Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suranga Lakmal, Dhammika Prasad, Thisara Perera comprises the pace battery of Sri Lanka. Spin department has Rangana Herath, Sachithra Senanayake andJeevan Mendis. Kulasekara will take the new ball who can swing the ball both ways while Malinga will bowl in middle and death overs. Good part about Sri Lankan bowling unit is the variety they have in their lineup. Kulasekara is a genuine swing bowler with Prasad and Lakmal being hit the deck bowler. Malinga being the best bet in final overs with his slower balls and yorkers and a classy left arm spinner in form of Herath. Another plus point in Sri Lankan unit is plenty of bowling options. Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera,  Jeevan Mendis and Tillakaratne Dilshan all of these guys can play the role of all-rounder which gives the captain a lot of fall back options.

X-Factor

Sri Lanka’s X-Factor is their captain cool Angelo Mathews. He has the ability of taking the team out of tough situations by his calm approach.  Not only with the bat, Mathews can be very handy with the new ball in helpful conditions.

Best Result

Champions (1996), Runners up (2007),Runners up (2011)

Overall

After analyzing the Angelo Mathews led Sri Lankan Team well in detail, if Sri Lanka do play as per their potential I do see a semifinalist in them.