Four things Sri Lanka might have learned from their T20 February, with an eye to the World Cup
Through the course of this month, Sri Lanka have played five T20Is in Australia, and three in India. They’ve lost all but one of those matches, often going down against substantially weakened opposition. But then, they’ve had their share of injury and Covid-related absences too. Here are four things they might have learned from their T20 February, with an eye to the World Cup later this year.
They have a top three
The likes of Danushka Gunathilaka, Janith Liyanage, and Kamil Mishara didn’t make enough of an impact to break into that top three.
Kumara could still be a good T20 bowler (just not at the death)
Through the course of those five matches, Kumara has often been the quickest bowler on show (across both teams), and roughed opposition batters up with his bouncers. If he stays fit, and keeps working on those skills, the quicker tracks in Australia could suit him nicely in October.
Shanaka the big-hitter emerges
Just in the last two games at Dharamsala though – one of the bounciest tracks in South Asia – Shanaka has found his range. He bashed 47 not out off 19 in the second match, then a stunning 74 not out off 38 in the third, having come in at 29 for 4.
Sri Lanka had lacked lower-order firepower in the last T20 World Cup. They need Shanaka to continue his big-hitting into October and November.
The Chandimal experiment is over. Right?
Sadly, he has not even come close to replicating those numbers in the seven T20I innings he got in February, making just 112 runs, at a strike rate of 97. He’s got to be done, right? No way the selectors can pick him in this format. That is until he carves up another domestic season.
Andrew Fidel Fernando is ESPNcricinfo’s Sri Lanka correspondent. @afidelf