Ouch! Kenya throw Sri Lankan plans into disarray
Ouch
Ouch! Kenya have thrown Sri Lanka's World Cup plans into disarray.
Yesterday's shambolic performance, fittingly described as "amateurish" by a fuming Sanath Jayasuriya, means that Sri Lanka's progression to the Super Sixes is no longer assured.
| © Reuters |
Worse, even if they do qualify, they will no longer carry through the maximum points that would have eased their route to the semi-finals.
Sri Lanka's day-night game against the hosts South Africa at Durban is the key match - victory there will assure them a berth in the next round.
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"We did not play like professionals today, we played like amateurs. We
batted badly and our middle order didn't click. This is my and the team's
worst day in cricket."
(Sanath Jayasuriya) |
Even if Sri Lanka win against West Indies on Friday at Newlands, they will need to win against the South Africans to avoid being on equal points with South Africa, Kenya and New Zealand.
Should that happen then Kenya and South Africa would automatically qualify on the basis of having beaten two of the three other teams.
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"Watching the game yesterday on TV showed how arrogant our players looked on
the field. Everything was done at an easy pace, particularly some of the
fielders and the bowlers bar Murali, Vaas and Jayasuriya."
(Yes Minister) |
Net run rate will then decide whether it is New Zealand or Sri Lanka that qualify.
And with New Zealand still having games to play against Bangladesh and Canada, Sri Lanka's current net run rate of +1.73 could easily be overhauled.
Coach Dav Whatmore described Sri Lanka's predicament as a "test of character" and that is an understatement.
| © CricInfo |
South Africa hold the psychological edge with memories of the recent 4-1 toweling still swirling around the minds of the Sri Lankans.
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"Really what it means is we know what we have to do. From now onwards we
don't have to worry about run rates any more. What we have to do is to get
out there and win matches."
(Dav Whatmore) |
Moreover, one fears the impact of yesterday's electric Kenya performance on the team's confidence - a demoralised middle order is now under serious pressure.
All credit to Steve Tikolo's side, they played with a verve and commitment that had hitherto not been witnessed in the tournament.
The exhilarating jumping warrior-like huddle that greeted the fall of each wicket will remain one of the most enduring memories of the tournament.
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"Finally Sri lanka have learnt a very valuable and very painfull lesson.
Never underestimate the opposition what ever their rating is in world
cricket."
(Ravi Ratnayeke) |
They batted with guts and fielded like men possessed - should they be able to produce similar performances then there could be greater upsets ahead.
| © CricInfo |
Kenya now have an excellent chance of qualifying, assuming they defeat Bangladesh.
Ironically, they will be now be supporting Sri Lanka as only a double defeat for Jayasuriya's side can deny them a place in the Super Sixes.
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