1) Home advantage – It’s an obvious point, but an important one. On home soil and with the crowd behind them this could be their year. Sri Lanka of course did host last year’s world cup as well, but here they are being handed the responsibility of doing it all themselves. The conditions will suit them and the crowd will be right behind them. They will not want to disappoint and will want to make the most of it and use it to their advantage.
2) Form guide – over the last 2 years leading up to this WT20 and in the games that have been played in the time gap between the last T20 WC and this one which is the biggest there has ever been so far, incidentally, Sri Lanka have been an inform team and have been building well to put on a show in their home hosted tournament. They have:
Drawn 1-1 vs. New Zealand in the USA
Won 1-0 vs. Australia at Perth
Won 1-0 vs. England in England
Won 2-0 vs. Australia in Sri Lanka
Lost vs. Pakistan in UAE, but closely
Drawn 1-1 vs. Pakistan at home, resting MJ and Malinga in the lost one
3) SLPL – the inaugural league was launched this August so the players are well prepared. Sri Lanka is showing focus and importance to the shortest version of the game. The players would be in Twenty20 mode and used to playing in front of big crowds with plenty of pressure and expectation.
4) They are due one. Sri Lanka have reached 3 major ICC tournament finals over the last 5 years with the WC final at Barbados and Mumbai and the T20 WC final at Lords. Players like Sangakkara would be determined to get over the finishing line and win a trophy for their country. They have performed admirably in tournaments, but at the end of the day you want to go the distance. The desire would be bigger than ever before. Moreover, Sri Lanka have had a poor year in world competitions, finishing in last place at the Asia Cup and were the only major test playing nation to be eliminated at the youth world cup before the quarter finals. Another poor showing will not go down well with their board. Their biggest tournament trophy after 1996 in the making?
5) Genuine match-winners/special players
Malinga – Got the purple cap in the CLT20 2011. Brand ambassador of the tournament. The only pacer in the top 10 in the world rankings in this format. ICC ODI player of the year short-listed nominee 2012. The leading ODI wicket taker this year and was amongst the top last year as well. Bowls Yorkers expertly well and also varies his pace deceptively.
2) Form guide – over the last 2 years leading up to this WT20 and in the games that have been played in the time gap between the last T20 WC and this one which is the biggest there has ever been so far, incidentally, Sri Lanka have been an inform team and have been building well to put on a show in their home hosted tournament. They have:
Drawn 1-1 vs. New Zealand in the USA
Won 1-0 vs. Australia at Perth
Won 1-0 vs. England in England
Won 2-0 vs. Australia in Sri Lanka
Lost vs. Pakistan in UAE, but closely
Drawn 1-1 vs. Pakistan at home, resting MJ and Malinga in the lost one
3) SLPL – the inaugural league was launched this August so the players are well prepared. Sri Lanka is showing focus and importance to the shortest version of the game. The players would be in Twenty20 mode and used to playing in front of big crowds with plenty of pressure and expectation.
4) They are due one. Sri Lanka have reached 3 major ICC tournament finals over the last 5 years with the WC final at Barbados and Mumbai and the T20 WC final at Lords. Players like Sangakkara would be determined to get over the finishing line and win a trophy for their country. They have performed admirably in tournaments, but at the end of the day you want to go the distance. The desire would be bigger than ever before. Moreover, Sri Lanka have had a poor year in world competitions, finishing in last place at the Asia Cup and were the only major test playing nation to be eliminated at the youth world cup before the quarter finals. Another poor showing will not go down well with their board. Their biggest tournament trophy after 1996 in the making?
5) Genuine match-winners/special players
Malinga – Got the purple cap in the CLT20 2011. Brand ambassador of the tournament. The only pacer in the top 10 in the world rankings in this format. ICC ODI player of the year short-listed nominee 2012. The leading ODI wicket taker this year and was amongst the top last year as well. Bowls Yorkers expertly well and also varies his pace deceptively.
Dilshan – Player of the tournament in the 2009 World T20. Short listed as a nominee for ICC T20I performance of the year with his 104* vs. Australia in the August of 2011. If he gets anything in his area, short and wide, he will throw the kitchen sink at it and punish you more often than not. His fast hands and bat speed is quite incredible. Also, a skilful improviser as the Dil-scoop testifies. He is an entertainer and game changer.
Sangakkara – Neat wicket keeper who will get plenty of catches and stumpings which you can be sure of. The Stabilizing batsman who plays orthodox shots, but can change gears and hit them big. ICC ODI player of the year and ICC test cricketer of the year and ICC cricketer of the year short listed nominee 2012. A high class player who is pleasing on the eyes and equally speaks well off the field as an intellect of the game.
Matthews – Vice captain of the side who plays the role of a ‘finisher.’ Recently, scored 15 from a final over in an ODI series decider to seal the series against Pakistan. When fit, a useful seam bowling option to make him a batting all-rounder who gives the side depth and balance.
Mendis – Mystery bowler who wobbles it around and bowls wicket to wicket. Last August over-took Umar Gul’s 5/6 at the Oval to be the holder of the best T20I figures.
Sangakkara – Neat wicket keeper who will get plenty of catches and stumpings which you can be sure of. The Stabilizing batsman who plays orthodox shots, but can change gears and hit them big. ICC ODI player of the year and ICC test cricketer of the year and ICC cricketer of the year short listed nominee 2012. A high class player who is pleasing on the eyes and equally speaks well off the field as an intellect of the game.
Matthews – Vice captain of the side who plays the role of a ‘finisher.’ Recently, scored 15 from a final over in an ODI series decider to seal the series against Pakistan. When fit, a useful seam bowling option to make him a batting all-rounder who gives the side depth and balance.
Mendis – Mystery bowler who wobbles it around and bowls wicket to wicket. Last August over-took Umar Gul’s 5/6 at the Oval to be the holder of the best T20I figures.
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