New One-Day Innovation Sri Lanka's Success Formula (01 Apr 1996)

New One-Day Innovation Lanka's Success Formula

BY SA`ADI THAWFEEQ

Sri Lanka`s success in the Wills World Cup has made them the new superpower of cricket, according to several past cricketing personalities.

Sri Lanka, who became the first-ever co-hosts to win the ultimate prize in limited overs cricket have set the cricket world talking with their new trends in both batting and bowling.

Sri Lanka has discovered in batting as well as bowling what other teams have failed to achieve - a sustained confident innovation.

Our batsmen, especially the openers have gifted world cricket a new manner of amassing match-turning runs inside the first 15 overs.

In fact, Sri Lanka showed the other teams the way to exploit the fielding inadequacy of their rivals to their advantage as only two players are allowed to field outside the circle in the first 15 overs.

Whether batting first or chasing a huge target Sri Lanka have fashioned the scoring in tune with the demands of the cyber age which on one hand gives them a clear edge over their opponents, and on the other, has imparted a new thrill to overs-limit cricket.

In the absence of effective pace bowling, Sri Lanka has exploited the all-round talents of Sanath Jayasuriya and Aravinda de Silva with amazing results.

Their table turning performances has not only made them the first ever co-hosts to win the World Cup, but also the first to attain the distinction while chasing a given target since the inception of the event in 1975.

Sri Lanka manager Duleep Mendis, an aggressive hitter of the ball during his time said: "The logic is simple. Once you spoil the rhythm of the bowlers and have runs on the board, then half the battle is won. Moreover, you don`t have to depend on one or two individuals. Everyone can then chip in and build on the platform".

Former Pakistan all-rounder and captain Asif Iqbal was so impressed by Sri Lanka`s approach in the tournament, he wrote in `The Asian Age`: "For the Sri Lankans an opponents total represents `a number` to be reached and surpassed. We have seen this happen in Sharjah against the West Indies (when Sri Lanka chased 333 and replied with 329) and now again against India (at Delhi). On both occasions they outplayed the opposition in all departments. It is amazing how they have perfected the role of a pinch hitter. They are simply riding cricket`s new enigma. Sri Lanka is truly a great champion side".

Source:: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)