From where’s the power hitting coming?

by Rex Clementine

You’ve got to appreciate the frankness with which Upul Tharanga has gone about his business as Chairman of Selectors. The clarity the former captain has shown had it been followed by his predecessors, Sri Lanka wouldn’t have got knocked out of next year’s Champions Trophy.

One question that everyone seemed to be asking when the Sri Lankan squad for the T-20 World Cup in the United States and West Indies was announced was from where the power hitting is coming.

Tharanga was confident that the squad chosen for the 20 nation tournament had enough power hitting options. He didn’t go into minute details about the thought process that went in when the selectors met to pick the squad. Maybe he’s playing his cards close to his chest.

When you talk of power hitting, the immediate names that come to your mind are those of Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando and Bhanuka Rajapaksa. Kusal and Avishka got a fair run lead up to the World Cup before being discarded, Bhanuka although couldn’t make it to the squad, he’s among the travelling reserves.

When the selectors said that they have power hitting aspect covered, they would have probably talked about sticking to the strategy of sending Wanindu Hasaranga as the floater. Although slotted in to bat at number eight, Hasaranga during recent bilateral series has promoted himself to number four or five and has given some quick runs in the matter of a few balls. It’s a risk that Sri Lanka can afford to take since they can bank on other established batters.

During the Power Play of course they have Kusal Mendis, who can make use of fielding restrictions. In Sri Lanka’s last T-20 series win, Mendis was Player of the Series having scored 56, 36 and 86.

In the death overs of course they have the options of Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanka, both of whom can clear the boundary with their clean hitting.

Pathum Nissanka is expected to play the anchor role while Charith Asalanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama and Kamindu Mendis hold the innings together while the likes of Hasaranga, Mendis, Mathews and Shanka play around them.

All in all, there’s lot of thought process gone into the selections and credit to the selectors.

It always seems that bowling is Sri Lanka’s strong point. This time around batting could prove to be the game changer. Can’t wait till the World Cup gets underway. An exciting tournament is on the cards.