Sri Lanka are former winners of the Cricket World Cup but they head into the 2019 renewal as also-rans given little chance of making it into the semi-final stage just eight years after the made the final of the tournament. The 1996 winners changed the landscape of the 50 over game but now they are so far behind the leading sides it beggars belief. This is their chance to show they can still mix it with the elite.
Profile
Captain: Dimuth Karunaratne
Previous Best: Winners (1996)
Key Players: Angelo Mathews & Lasith Malinga
Best Odds: 150/1 General
Fixtures
June 1: vs New Zealand at Cardiff
June 4: vs Afghanistan at Cardiff
June 7: vs Pakistan at Bristol
June 11: vs Bangladesh at Bristol
June 15: vs Australia at The Oval
June 21: vs England at Headingley
June 28 vs South Africa at The Riverside
July 1: vs West Indies at The Riverside
July 6: vs India at Headingley
Squad
Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Avishka Fernando, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Jeffery Vandersay, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Jeevan Mendis, Milinda Siriwardana
Team Guide
It is hard to know where to begin with Sri Lanka such has been their decline over the last few years The harsh truth is that it would be a surprise if they are competitive enough with either the bat or the ball and as a result the challenge for them is to show that they can deliver the goods in at least one of those departments in order to offer something that resembles being competitive here.
If I had to pick one area where they would be better than the other it would probably be the batting but that in part is down to the fact that there is nothing in the pitches in England at the minute. Historically, Sri Lanka have relied on spinners to quell the flow of runs of the opposition but that tactic wouldn’t work in England even if they had any good ones. The fact that they haven’t could leave them heavily exposed.
Betting
It is hard to be too complimentary about Sri Lanka and their chances this season and with the change of captain right before the tournament suggesting the lack of direction in this format of the game I think they are a decent bet to finish bottom of the pile. Afghanistan are the heavy favourites for that market but they do have a bowling attack, motivation and are an improving side. Sri Lanka are slumping fast and there is enough juice on the 11/4 on them to be the best of the lot.
If there is going to be a shining light for Sri Lanka aside from Lasith Malinga it is likely to be Angelo Mathews and I’m actually pretty surprised at the price he is to be the leading batsman for Sri Lanka in the tournament. I know they have tried to look away from him but the fact they are forced to keep going back to him for the big occasions speaks volumes of what he has to beat in this market. He’s the class act here and while I respect Kusal Mendis, at 5/1 it is Mathews for me.
Tips
Sri Lanka to finish bottom for a 2/10 stake at 3.75 with BetVictor
Back them here:
Back A.Mathews Top Sri Lanka Batsman for a 2/10 stake at 6.00 with Betfred
Back him here:
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