How Well Silverwood-Shanaka duo can overcome Sri Lanka's issues ?

(Poornama Edirisooriya writes) 

 

Silverwood-Shanaka combination is working well so far for SL

As the Lions are ready to take on Namibia in the curtain raiser of the T20 World Cup 2022, here is a dive into the Sri Lankan camp to identify some key factors that Sri Lanka should overcome in their campaign.

 

Number 3 & 4

In the 2021 edition of T20 World Cup, we faced the same problem with no 4 but Charith Asalanka was in good touch at no 3 and became the highest run-getter for Sri Lanka eventually. Mahela, the consultant coach of Sri Lanka filled no 4 with Avishka Fernando who is an opening batter. We are having the same issue with number 4 in this year and Danushka Gunathilake, who is an opening batter too was our no 4 batsman in the last international match and our first warm-up match as well.

 

Last year’s highest runscorer Asalanka's dip in form is one of the major concerns for Sri Lanka. We all know how good he can be and the quality he holds. His rough patch led Sri Lanka to play Dhananjaya Silva in the Asia cup final against Pakistan which resulted in favor of Sri Lanka as DDS made a brisk inning of 28 under pressure. It is understandable if Shanaka thinks to start the tournament with Dhananjaya de Silva at 3 since he provides an extra spin bowl option. Still, the no 4 spot tilting between Danushka and Asalanka.

If Danushka and Asalanka can find their forms back as early as possible, that's going to be very crucial for Sri Lanka.

 

Sri Lanka needs runs from number 3 & 4

 

 

Sri Lanka's Dot Ball Percentage 

In this case, what Sri Lankan batters showed in the Asia Cup was very satisfactory when compared to it before the Asia Cup. Sri Lanka's dot ball percentage was amongst the highest out of the top 10 countries along with West Indies (Windies do catch up with boundaries). One of the major reasons for the higher dot ball percentage we observed is weak batting against spin bowling and not being able to maneuver the ball into gaps. In Australia, there will be more gaps and batters will have to make twos and threes, so it is a must to continue what we saw from Sri Lankan batters in the Asia Cup.

 

Are Chameera and Kumara fit enough?

"Both Lahiru and Dushmantha were a part of our camp, and they both managed to complete their bowling quotas without an issue. I think they're well prepared ahead of the World Cup"

Dasun said in the media briefing before they left Sri Lanka. But their fitness is something to look after closely by the officials since they are coming back after a long break.

 

Who is the second fast bowler?

If both Dushmantha Chameera and Lahiru Kumara are fit enough to bowl those hard yards, definitely Chameera is our main pace bowler. Then, Who gonna be the second fast bower?

Dilshan Madushanka was very impressive throughout the Asia cup and Sri Lanka has the luxury of a left-arm pacer in him which is always a captain's dream. Pramod Madushan had a superb Asia cup final, took 4 for 34, and was one of the main architects of that triumph. And Lahiru Kumara is back in the Sri Lankan squad, can expect his hard length and pace will have value in bouncy Australian pitches.

This will make a headache for selectors on the second pacer and the writer thinks Sri Lanka will start with the Left arm pacer.

 

22 years old Left-arm pacer was so impressive in Asia Cup 2022

Do we need 3 frontline pacers?

Starc, Hazlewood, Cummins for Australia, Bhuvaneshwar, Harshal, Arshdeep for India, Shaheen, Nasheem, Rauf for Pakistan, Woakes, Topley, Wood, Curran for England, Boult, Southee, Lokie/Milne for NZ.

Most of the teams play 3 frontline fast bowlers these days unlike Sri Lanka who plays only 2 frontline fast bowlers and all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne. The question remains, do we need an extra fast bowler on Australian pitches?

 

Dasun bowing himself less?

With Chamika Karunaratne doing a good job with the ball lately, there wasn't much need for an extra bowler. And now, the inclusion of Dhananjaya de Silva in the playing xi provides a cushion for the skipper as well with his bowling options. When Dasun bowled, he used to provide some crucial breakthroughs in recent matches but still feels the skipper doesn't use himself enough with the ball. With big boundaries, his cutters might work in the upcoming World cup.

As long as Silverwood-Shanaka combination can find answers for these, Sri Lanka will have a fruitful journey in T20 World Cup. Hopefully.

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