 Sri
Lanka will play England in the fourth quarter-final of the ICC Cricket World
Cup 2011. The game will be played on March 26 and will be featured in the
R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Sri Lanka has had an up and down kind of a tournament and still managed to finish
second in the group. This was brought about by the manner in which they played
in most of the games except the one that they lost - to Pakistan.
Click for Live Score Card of Sri Lanka Vs England
Sri Lanka started off with a win over Kenya before losing to Pakistan.
Canada were easily tramped over while Zimbabwe were sent packing by the likes
of Dilshan and Tharanga. It was their game against Australia that was abandoned
while the one against the New Zealand that they went on to win that allowed
them to end with nine points, just one behind Pakistan, who had ten.
On the other hand, England have been the tournament's most entertaining side by
a long way. They have had six close games in the tournament and have had the heart
beat racing in anticipation. The reason for that is that they were able to pull
off a win against Netherlands despite chasing 292, tied with India chasing 338,
lost to Ireland and Bangladesh in two shock results, beat South Africa when they
had folded up for 171 and then defeated West Indies as well. Clearly, it has been
one tournament of goodies for them and the fans have been enthralled.
The good thing for England despite having to play Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka is that
they have two good spinners who can do the job for them. Unlike teams in the past,
the side will make things difficult for the Sri Lankan side if they can bat first
on the Premadasa wicket where it is never easy chasing - 65% of the games have
been won by teams batting first.
This will mean that Sri Lanka will think twice before expecting the curator
to prepare another turned - knowing that England can exploit that as
well.
Sri Lanka will need to get their combination right. Far too many bits and pieces
cricketers in the middle order has left them with not too much to bank upon and
that has meant that the side will find it difficult to propel forward in the middle
overs.
On the other hand, England's batting will hold the key at the top of the innings.
|
