Sri Lankan cricket has had a very underwhelming time of late. This comes especially after the retirement of their stalwart players like Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara and TM Dilshan. The transitioning hasn”t been smooth in Sri Lankan cricket and this has massively affected their form in ODI cricket.
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In the 2015 World Cup, Sri Lanka reached the quarterfinals before losing to South Africa. Since then the side has struggled to find the right kind of balance.
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So far in 2019, the Lankans have lost the ODI series to New Zealand 0-3 and were also whitewashed by South Africa 0-5. They haven”t won a single match this year!
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Before World Cup 2019, Sri Lanka will face Scotland in the 2 match ODI series. They would be hoping to fine-tune their skills before their biggest test. With the first game resulting in a washout, they would certainly be looking to win their first ODI series this year. Sri Lanka would be lead by Dimuth Karunaratne
Here we look at the 5 Key Sri Lankan players to watch out for
1. Kusal Mendis
Kusal Mendis is a promising young middle order batsman. He made his ODI debut for Sri Lanka against Ireland in 2016. Of late his form has not been too consistent in the format.
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In the 4 ODI matches played on the tour of South Africa, Kusal Mendis got starts but could not capitalise on his knocks. He has played so far 62 matches (60 matches) and scored 1626 runs with 1 century and 14 half centuries.
Mendis had a decent 2017 Champions Trophy with 127 runs from 3 matches (3 innings) with the best score of 89. Sri Lankan hopes would definitely lie on Mendis”s form for them to progress in the World Cup.
2. Kusal Perera
The dashing left hander, Kusal Perera has been struggling lately due to injuries. After being the hero of the Durban test match, he could not replicate his form in the ODIs. He did not play 2 matches due to injuries
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He made his ODI debut against Australia on 13th Jan 2013. So far in his ODI career, Kusal Perera played 88 matches (83 innings) and scored 2283 runs with the highest score of 135, with 4 century and half-centuries.
In the 2017 Champions Trophy held in England, Sri Lanka had a disappointing tournament after being knocked out in the first round, Kusal Perera scored 91 runs from 2 matches with the best score of 47*.
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Before the World Cup 2019, Kusal Perera needs to regain his form. The ODIs against Scotland will be vital for him as English conditions are quite similar conditions to Scottish conditions. Sri Lankans fans would be hoping some great miracles from him.
3. Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga is the most experienced bowler in the Sri Lankan squad. Despite going for runs in the final of IPL 2019 finals, he produced a magical last ball to dismiss Shardul Thakur to register a thrilling 1 run win over CSK.
He made his ODI debut against UAE on 17th July 2004. Since his debut, Malinga has played 218 matches (212 innings) and taken 322 wickets with 10 times 4 wicket haul and 5 wickets haul eight times. The Sri Lankan veteran is the only bowler to take two hattricks in World Cup history.
Lasith Malinga has been suffering from injuries. In the 2018 Asia Cup, Malinga took 5 wickets from 2 matches in a disappointing Asia Cup for Sri Lanka.
In December 2018, Lasith Malinga was appointed as the captain of the Sri Lankan side. Post that they suffered 0-3 loss to New Zealand. In 2019, the veteran remained the captain on ODI tour of South Africa but lost the series 0-5.
Before the World Cup 2019, Malinga would be hoping to regain the form and help the Sri Lankan come out of a rough patch in ODI cricket. With the veteran likely to play his last 50 over World Cup, he would be hoping to give a final go to lift the title.
4. Thisara Perera
Thisara Perera is an experienced all-rounder who bowls well and can do the damage with the bat in the middle order. He made his ODI debut for Sri Lanka on 24th December 2009 against India.
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With the bat, Perera has played 153 matches (120 innings) and scored 2147 runs with the best score of 140. If set, the explosive left handed batsman can destroy the opposition with his power hitting. In 2019, Thisara Perera scored his career best score of 140 and almost took Sri Lanka home.
He has taken 169 wickets from 153 matches (144 innings) with an economy of 5.86. With his ability to chip in with a few overs, Thisara Perera will play a major role with both bat and ball.
In 2019, Perera has scored 280 runs from 8 matches ( 8 innings). Playing his 3rd World Cup, the experienced all-rounder needs to come good if Sri Lanka, wants to do well in the prestigious tournament.
5. Angelo Mathews
After Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews is the most experienced player in current Sri Lanka ODI side. Angelo Mathews would be returning to the squad after an injury. He played his last ODI during the Asia Cup 2018 against Afghanistan.
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During 2019 tour of New Zealand, Mathews suffered an injury in the test series and did not play the ODI series. Sri Lanka was whitewashed by 0-3 and then were outplayed 0-5 by South Africa.
He has played so far 203 ODI matches (173 innings) and scored 5380 runs with the best score of 139*. Before the World Cup 2019, Mathews must gain match practice in 2 match series against Scotland.
Sri Lanka reached the quarterfinals stage in the 2015 World Cup and Mathews scored 195 runs from 7 matches (5 innings) with highest score 51.
In the 2017 Champions Trophy held in England, Mathews scored 91 runs from 2 matches with the best score of 52*. He needs to be careful not to get injured again that will put the Sri Lankan team under more backfoot.
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With the lack of experience in the ODI squad, Mathews has played to an important role which could decide fortune of Sri Lankan team.