Sri Lanka approaching top gear


There are signs that Sri Lanka are beginning to find the sort of form which makes them so dangerous in one-day cricket. South Africa and India may have started as pre-tournament favourites, but Sri Lanka's 19-run win over Pakistan contained plenty in it to suggest they're about to hit their straps. Tillakaratne Dilshan scorched 46 from 39 to give them another flying start, an innings which contained his absurdly audacious flip-flick over the wicketkeeper's head. The last time they met Pakistan, they were airlifted by helicopter gunship. That they overcame the emotion spoke volumes of the character and belief that exists in this side, two factors which ought to help them cruise into the semi-finals.

The one major concern, however, is their middle order which sustained a horrid collapse of 5 for 40 in the last six overs. It didn't cost them against Pakistan, thanks to Lasith Malinga's deadly death-bowling, but it is one area that needs improvement if they are to beat firstly Ireland, then New Zealand.

Ireland, on the other hand, might have already peaked. They had long targeted the game against Bangladesh as their most likely chance for an upset; so comprehensive was their victory that it's almost unfair to describe it as such. Yet they were given a rude awakening a couple of days later when New Zealand, injuries and all, knocked them flat by 83 runs. The allround ability of Kevin O'Brien has impressed and surprised many, while Trent Johnston and Kevin's brother, Niall, remain class acts who could yet make it difficult for Sri Lanka. But the lack of experience playing against such a seasoned and powerful team, gradually moving into top gear, ought to be a test too far for Ireland.

Equally, Sri Lanka must do a New Zealand on Ireland and give them a thumping, not just a timid slap of the wrists.

Watch out for...

The two tweaking Ms: Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis. Mendis exposed Australia's frailties against spin, but another M, Malinga, tops the wicket-takers' table with 8 at 12.25. Murali has yet to really fire, but both he and Mendis should prove a handful against Ireland, whose inexperience against such unorthodoxy should dumbfound them. With Malinga in such electric form, Sri Lanka just need their champion spinner or his deputy to reach top form to sweep Ireland aside.

Kevin O'Brien suffered against New Zealand with bat and ball, but he did take a fine, low catch at deep square-leg to dismiss Scott Styris. He has spent much of his career in the shadow of his brother, Niall, but is a savage hitter at No.5 and his tidy seam - as long as he pitches it up - is much underrated.

Team news....

It seems inconceivable Sri Lanka will make any changes, barring a late injury, while Ireland fielded their best side against New Zealand and ought to remain unchanged too.

Sri Lanka: (probable) 1 Sanath Jayasuriya, 2 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk, capt), 4 Mahela Jayawardene, 5 Jehan Mubarak, 6 Chamara Silva, 7 Angelo Mathews, 8 Nuwan Kulasekara, 9 Ajantha Mendis, 10 Lasith Malinga, 11 Muttiah Muralitharan

Ireland: (probable) 1 William Porterfield (capt), 2 Gary Wilson, 3 Niall O'Brien (wk), 4 Andre Botha, 5 Kevin O'Brien, 6 John Mooney, 7 Alex Cusack, 8 Trent Johnston, 9 Kyle McCallan, 10 Regan West, 11 Pete Connell