Youthful Sri Lanka raring to go, as World Cup begins

• Chandimal tipped for No.3 berth
• Arthur says Mahela played key role in shifting Avishka to No.4

By Champika Fernando in Abu Dhabi

Former captains Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera will today be watching their countrymen aim for a perfect start to theirT20 World Cup campaign against Namibia at the qualifiers in Abu Dhabi from the comfort of their homes.

Both have been part of the national team for over a decade before a new selection policy cut short their T20 careers. Even though Perera was part of the T20 plan, at least for this year’s World Cup, he made a premature exit from the international game, while Mathews, disillusioned by recent developments, stayed off.

Ideally, both should have been in UAE, given their experience. Sri Lanka is hoping to avoid a first round exit from a tournament they've had great success in the past. Even at their worst, they are touted as a strong contender to go through to the next round, along with Ireland, another full member that's playing a tough qualifying round.

Sri Lanka are the 2014 champions and the runners-up two years before that, in 2012, but what transpired thereafter is beyond imagination.

With experience deeply lacking in the side, Sri Lanka hopes to begin a new journey where youngsters will rise to the occasion and keep winning matches.

The build-up has been good, so to speak. They were beaten soundly by South African at home in their last international game but were better in their four practice games against Oman, Bangladesh and Papua New Guinea.

Batting at the top remains a worry though. With Pathum Nissanka scoring a half-century in the last practice game, the opening conundrum may have been solved but number 3 has been an eternal issue for Sri Lanka. But head coach Mickey Arthur said this, too, has been sorted out as Sri Lanka look to give their best shot at qualifying for the main draw.

“Yes, we have sorted out the No. 3 position,” Arthur said at the pre-match press conference. The choice is between Dinesh Chandimal and Charith Asalanka and team sources say the scale is weighing heavily in Chandimal’s favour.

Apart from this slot, Sri Lanka are very much settled with the playing XI. Arthur said that Mahela Jayawardena’s appointment as a consultant to the team made a massive difference in terms of finalising the team.

Jayawardena was key in bringing Avishka Fernando in at number 4, a position he seems to have grabbed with both hands. He scored three half-centuries in four innings. “Avishka has done exceptionally well,” Arthur said. “We had a bit of a brainstorming session where Mahela came up with a plan. He had us look at some stats, which he sent to Dasun [Shanaka] and me and looking at that it was pretty clear that Avishka was a good fit for no. 4. In terms of brand of cricket, we wanted to play. We got that sorted and Avishka will bat at four tomorrow definitely. We got a plan for number three, and we are very settled at number three. We made the decision today.

"Once Avishka gets in, and after about 15 balls he struck at 160 (strike rate). So, when he comes at number four, generally the field is back, which allows him to rotate the strike and get into his innings. Once he gets in, he is almost unstoppable. That was the thinking behind it. We tried and it worked and hope it will continue tomorrow."

In terms of bowling, Sri Lanka are pretty comfortable. Wristspinner Wanindu Hasaranga is one of the best in the world. The pace bowling, too, is impressive, with Dushmantha Chameera leading a pack which includes Lahiru Kumara and Chamika Karunaratne; if Sri Lanka’s batters get runs, they will offer a real challenge to any team.

Namibia, on the other hand, is returning to the World Cup after 18 years, having competed in the 50-over World Cup in 2003. They have done well in the recent past and will look to give a good fight. Their skipper Gerhard Erasmus says the pressure is on Sri Lanka, as his side come to the tournament as one of the associates.

The teams

Sri Lanka probable XI: Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Janith Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal,  Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara, Maheesh Theekshana

Namibia probable XI: Gerhard Erasmus (c), Stephen Baard, Karl Birkenstock. Michau du Preez, Jan Frylinck, Zane Green, Nicol Lofie-Eaton, Bernard Scholtz, Ben Shikongo, JJ Smit, Ruben Trumpelmann, Michael van Lingen, David Wiese, Craig Williams, Pikky Ya France