Lankans seek succour from Kenya

India sure had a score to settle with Sri Lanka. In the mini World Cup held in Sri Lanka recently, India got cheated by the rain because of which they had to share the trophy. India was confidence personified after beating England to win the NatWest Trophy just prior to the tournament. Also, in the 1996 World Cup, India had to swallow a bitter pill of defeat in the hands of Sri Lanka in Kolkata in that infamous semi final match.

Yes, India outclassed the Lankans in every department of the game, primarily via the efforts of the three S’s — Sachin, Sehwag and Srinath. It was that opening stand of 153, which could have been higher still had Sehwag not succumbed to the rush of blood, which paved the way for the huge total of 292.

What confounds me, however, is why Sanath Jayasuriya decided to field first on that flat and beautiful batting track after winning the toss. Was he frightened of India’s pace trio, spearheaded by the lion-hearted Srinath in his new avatar, and didn’t want to face them first thing in the morning?

I don’t think India have had such a menacing, brutal pace attack ever before — certainly not to my knowledge. The Indian fielding also looked a much-improved version when compared to its performance in the previous game against Kenya.

By virtue of the mammoth Monday win, India has earned a berth in the semis and also has ensured that they don’t have to meet the plundering Aussies till they reach the final. Now that India has realised it’s true potential, and are playing as one single cohesive unit, I might as well put my money on them.

Yes, I do get the feeling that the history (circa 1983) is on the verge of repeating itself.

As regards today’s game, the Kenyans do look a determined lot. What they lack is experience and punch in their batting. If they bat first, they must see to that they score at least 250 to make a match of it.

Zimbabwe does lack depth in their bowling, but they have a strong batting line-up with the Flower brothers, Craig Wishart, all-rounder Andy Blignaut, and the new inudction, old warhorse Alistair Campbell. Even Heath Streak, their main bowler, can maul any attack too if he is in mood. Their fielding is also sharp, much sharper than the Kenyans.

The only disadvantage the Zims might be carrying on to the field is their disturbed and unstable mindset. Good players like Neil Johnson, Stuart Carlisle, Murray Goodwin, etc have already fled the country and some in the team are contemplating the same.

The future of the game does look bleak, seeing that the government is not intersted at all, and the locals don’t find the game absorbing enough.