By M D P DISSANAYAKE

Lasith Malinga has once again provided ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the most sensational performances ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ of fast bowling, capturing 6 wickets, including a hat-trick in his spell.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  His bowling made the Kenyans in no manƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s land and they were shocked just about the timeƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  preparing to hammer Sri Lanka once again, as previous bowlers could not connect successfully to Kenyan batsmen.

Winning the match and placing itself on top of the points table in Group A ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ is great.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Our next hurdle is on Saturday, meeting mighty Aussies.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The Aussies should never be under estimated, in fact the team is now in top gear.

Aussies are very well experienced in facing Murali.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Murali has been sent wicket-less by Australians at Test and ODI levels on many occasions. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ If Murali plays again on Saturday against Australia, it is more likely to be a sad story for Murali as well as Sri Lanka.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Even though he may not take wickets, he will give minimum number of runs in 10 overs, except against Australia.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Leaving Murali out of match against Australia is highly recommended but this is very unlikely to eventuate for obvious reasons.

Shane Watson. Ricky Pointing, Michael Clark are quite used to play against the spin attack.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  In particular, Shane Watson is one of the best technically accurate batsmen in the world like Aravinda, Mahanama, Upul, Mahela, Kumar and Tilanga.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

If we did not have Lasith MalingaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s performancesƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  against Kenya, we could have seen a repeat similar to previous World Cup against Kenya .ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  When KenyanƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s were two wicket down, but at a low run rate and our bowlers not taking wickets, it was a worry watching the match. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ But can Sri Lanka depend on one bowler only?. Overall , our bowling attack thus far ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ has demonstrated its weaknesses. Our competitors are no longer afraid of Murali, Mendis.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The absence of Ranjiv is strongly felt, he could have been far more effective ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ than HerathƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  and ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Murali. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Combination of Vass and Sanath could have provided the much needed oxygen for the SriƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Lanka.

Some might argue that there is no need to panic.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  We have heard this story from many skippers and media commentators on many occasions.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  To move to the Semi Final and eventuallyƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  to the Final, Sri Lanka need a team of Steel!