Sri Lanka’s substandard preparation for the World Cup has been completely exposed with defeats against two teams South Africa and Pakistan even before the big games against Australia on Monday followed by pending matches against England, India and New Zealand. Square arm action fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana is proving to be the biggest misfit in the team and according to former Sri Lanka World Cup player and current commentator Russel Arnold, the 20-year old bowler should not be playing on the big stage without proper grooming. Spin bowler Dunith Wellalage at age 20 has proved that he has no place among the men at the World Cup conceding 143 runs in the two matches Sri Lanka has played in while all bowlers put together have been thrashed for 772 runs. It will not be a brain teaser or cracker to figure out that with defeats against Pakistan and South Africa ahead of the bigger matches, Sri Lanka’s chances of qualifying for the semi finals could be a foregone conclusion. That the beleaguered captain Dasun Shanaka did not know how to defend 344 against Pakistan in what would have been a match-winning score for any other team, also raised questions.

Source: Sunday Observer October 15, 2023 05:09 UTC