While batting clicks, Sri Lankan bowling now becomes a concern

Rex Clementine in Delhi

It was Sri Lanka’s batting that remained a concern lead up to the World Cup as the bowling had done reasonably well. From the slow turners at home to the flat decks at the World Cup, more than a few chink in Sri Lanka’s armour have been found out during the run fest in Delhi.

Records tumbled as Sri Lanka took a severe beating and the former champions are badly missing Dushmantha Chameera, Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana.

Injuries of course beyond the team management’s control, but they need to figure out a few things.Batting will be taken care of on these pitches, but how are they going to control the run flow if they have any hope of making it to the semis?

Semis at this stage looks a long shot, but there’s no harm in aiming higher. Sri Lanka at least should look at seventh position finish, which means they need to beat Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Netherlands.There’s nothing much you can do with the bowling. The skill levels of our bowlers are not up to the mark and on good batting surfaces they will be found out.

You do have Lahiru Kumara and Dushan Hemantha as backups and they wouldn’t have fared any better on that Delhi belter. You just need to hope that Theekshana is available for the next game and back the guys whom you had picked for the opening game.

Playing their first World Cup, Dunith Wellalage and Matheesha Pathirana, both 20-year-olds, came into the competition with much hype, but South African batters showed that they are not yet the finished products.

They need to be persevered with. These two youngsters are the future of the team, and they are well grounded as well and like Pathum Nissanka and Charith Asalanka they will go a long way.

Kusal Janith Perera cut a poor figure during the run chase in Delhi and Sri Lanka will be hoping that he comes good in Hyderabad as he is such an important member of the squad.