Sri Lanka has worked hard for this for months together. They have analyzed and rectified the minutest of the flaws in their side and have grown tremendously in character and as a team. Now they have to face the mightiest of barriers for getting their hands on the tag of Champions. Perhaps, the kind of performance they have shown so far promises a lot more value for our money as compared to the semis.
Jayasuriya, as all know, has been the best batsmen behind Jayawardene this tournament, but his stats against Australia paint a totally different picture. As compared to the team’s overall batting average of 27 against the Australians, Jayasuriya records a rather meager 22. But give him a chance to settle and he will make you sweat. For, he registers an impressive 50-to-100 conversion rate of 40%, which is well above the rest of the team, with Sangakarra on the second spot with a faraway 14%. So if you see Jayasuriya hanging around after 10-15overs, Ponting will have some big decisions to take. Apart from him, Jayawardene, Chamara Silva and Sangakarra pose a threat to the Australians with averages 7, 33 and 17 points above the team’s overall batting average against Australia. Sangakarra could well make a huge difference, and hence remains a key wicket behind Jayasuriya.
The bowling department is a blend of experience and fresh blood with Malinga yet to bowl to the Australian Batting. However, Vaas and Muralitharan have been very effective against the Australians with averages 4 and 10 points better than the team’s bowling average of 40. But of course, the Australians would have done their homework for these bowlers. With Lankan bowlers having taken nearly as many wickets as their Aussie counterparts, one may well assume that this Lankan bowling side is no less lethal than that of the mighty Aussies. So the winner could well be decided on the performance of the batting department.
As compared to their overall winning rate of 48%, Lanka hold a mere 31% against Australians.
The point, however, is clear. True, the Australians are almost invincible, but Lankans do have the potential to change that. Especially when the Cup is at stake. Lankans seem to fancy batting first, as except for the match against New Zealand they have batted first in all the games and record a solid winning percentage of 72%. With the whole of Asia (possibly, the whole of the cricketing world outside Australia) supporting the Lankans, they are well motivated and charged up to take on Australians. But it will all boil down to maintaining the calm and composure needed to take on such a strong team. India and Pakistan didn’t do this the last two editions of the World Cup; it will be interesting to see if Lanka learn from the mistakes of their neighbours.