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  • My team would be

    1.KJP/Minod(wk)( if KJP is unavailable)
    2.Avishka( license to go hard in the PP)
    3.Asalanka (anchor from one end, to bat till the end )
    4.Rajapaksha
    5.Kamindu/Minod
    6.Chamika
    7.Shanaka
    8.Hasaranga
    9.Chameera
    10.Binura/Pradeep
    11.Praveen/Theekshana

  • Mathews won’t be playing definitely .So it’s time everyone moved past his inclusion. So if we look at the squad selected . KJP’s availability is the only uncertain factor.

    Given the points you highlighted , I agree. Minod keeps much better intensity in the field than Chandimal, and better with the DRS etc. However he must keep in mind to not overdo it and end up putting unneccassary pressure on our bowlers .

    I still believe Banuka should bat in the middle order instead of no.3 because of the points I noted in the previous comment. He obviously struggles against genuine pace and if he bats in the middle order the first spells of most top quality fast bowlers would be over.

    Pradeep or Binuras inclusion is a must . Hope their death bowling and skill set has improved . However Dasun and Chamika must be able to chip in with two overs each. We should play and extra spinner only if it’s a rank turner.

  • Top quality article !
    I agree with you . However I have noticed Banuka being incapable of facing top quality pace bowling . He’s a great talent , the best opportunity to develop as a cricketer is in the national main team setup . Hope they work on his defensive game .
    KJP and Mathews inclusion is uncertain .I would play Banuka in the middle overs , when most teams would have finished their first choice seam bowlers first spell . A bit of less pressure and if he gets his act together , he could ensure we maintain a decent run rtae and momentum during the middle overs which has so far been a struggle for us.

    My Top 8 first choice lineup would be,

    1.KJP
    2.Avishka ( given the license to go big in the first 6 overs)
    3.Chandimal
    4.Mathews
    5.Rajapaksha
    6.Karunaratne
    7.Shanaka
    8.Hasaranga

    worst case,

    1.Chandimal
    2.Avishka
    3.Kamindu
    4.Asalanka
    5.Rajapaksha
    6.Karunaratne
    7.Shanaka
    8.Hasaranga

  • As with the option of opening with a pair than can utilize the first 6 , like the author of this article mentioned excellently , Wanindu and KJP might be a good choice . Just because you need consistency, you can’t keep driving with a couple of flat tires . Asalanka and DDS might in fact be useful in the UAE in the middle over in tackling spin , they are our best players of spin at the moment from what we can see in the past two series. Counting out Asalanka for one bad game is an absolute crime . Banuka needs to be persisted with just a bit more because of his six hitting abilities. Who knows , after all misfiring Mendis was given a much longer rope and the only reason he’s out is because of a smoke lol. Maybe Banuka will seize his chance soon . It only takes one match for all the critiques to turn into hardcore “fans”lol. Below is a good combination that I would propose for a spinning track with bigger boundaries similar to RPS.

  • There’s no chance for SL to chase anything over 140/150 , let alone 160 at the RPS unless we get off to a good start in the first 6. Anything over 50 even for the loss of 2 wickets would be a good start. I can’t believe why Arthur and co. can’t make a game plan to win these chases . I’ve seen many t20 chases killed by our side in the first 6 overs itself by SL at RPS or similar bigger grounds for quite a few years now . There aren’t players who can clear the boundary at will like we had in the 2010-2015 era with the likes of Mathews and Perera. Rajapashke and Shanaka are capable, but barely can clear the 30 yard circle of late . Avishka and Chandi literally killed the chase in the first 6 overs in the last t20 . Just because our bowling has got us out of jail in a few matches , we must not forgot that our batting has never been impressive for more than a single match once in a blue moon . Every other time it’s been a absolute failure at some stage or another.

  • This was highlighted during the commentary in the previous ODI . Before trying to score big totals in excess of 300, try and first get used to setting a basic total for our bowlers to defend every match , consistently . Something around 250-280 every match , depending on the pitch. Then once we make it a habit , we can set plans to hit those 300+ scores which is the norm in ODI cricket nowadays .

  • My XI for the 2nd ODI

    1.D.Karunaratne
    2.A.Fernando
    3.K.Perera
    4.D.De Silva
    5.A.Mathews
    6.D.Shanaka
    7.T.Perera
    8.W.Hasaranga
    9.L.Sandakan
    10.L.Kumara
    11.N.Pradeep

    Mendis’s free ticket in the XI needs to end. He needs to start racking up 100s. He has nothing of substance to show so far coming into his 75th ODI if he plays tomorrow. His average which stands at 28 drops further to 25 against good bowling attacks, which is pathetic to say the least. The only worthwhile ODI Innings I remember to date is the 80 odd he got against India in the Champions trophy. Some serious competition needs to be created for his no. 4 spot, preferably with DDS who is a more capable batsman than Mendis in my opinion, who has been constantly hard done and made to bat in positions which aren’t suitable for him.

    Further proper match winners like Avishka and Dasun Shanaka need to be given extended runs with proper security for their places in the team and given the freedom to play freely but not recklessly. I have absolutely no idea how Arthur came upwith the absurd choice to make thisara and shanaka compete for the no. 7 spot. Shanaka is a must have in the XI until he’s given a proper extended run in the team. Same goes to Avishka.

    Though Sandakan was absolutely horrible in the first ODI, I think he should be given another go in the 2nd. He needs to work on his control for starters. He can’t keep bowling like someone who’s bowling for the first time or someone with a cake of soap in his bowling hand.

    Kumara needs to be given an extended run as well and needs to be rotated together with Udana.And I sure hope the selectors won’t be banking on Udana’s batting skills going forward.

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