Chameera, Kulasekara likely to strengthen attack

The victory might still be important as the outcome will decide if Sri Lanka finishes fourth behind New Zealand, Australia and Bangladesh or they will finish on third place ahead of Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka have widely been criticised for playing too many batsmen in the team despite the entire top order showing fantastic form during the tournament. Sri Lanka have been refusing to take the cushion provided by the strong batting line up and have gone for every match with seven batsmen and no more than two or three bowlers while the all rounders filled the remaining spaces.

However the bowling of all rounders, especially of Thisara Perera has been pathetic, resulting in a mediocre attack that failed to make any impression other than the ever-improving star Lasith Malinga who came directly to the tournament after a three-month lay-off due to an ankle surgery.

Today’s situation would offer Sri Lanka an opportunity to go out with seven batsmen and four bowlers to see if a different formula would work in their favour, as they are desperate for a better bowling and fielding performance following three of the five opponents they have met so far scoring well in excess of 300 runs.

Youngster Dushmantha Chameera is strongly favoured to get the nod from the selectors for today’s game. The 23-year old had a productive debut against New Zealand in the recent series between the two countries, but did not get an opportunity to display his talents in the World Cup so far, despite being called up-to the side before the tournament began, to replace Dhammika Prasad who fracture his arm and was unable to take part.

All rounder Thisara Perera might be dropped today in favour of Chameera while Left hander Kusal Janith Perera who joined the squad yesterday as replacement for Dinesh Chandimal would also get a chance to play, according to team sources.

However Perera’s arrival also means that Sri Lanka will have to disturb their settled opening pair of TIllekaratne Dilshan and Lahiru Thirimanne with the Vice Captain Thrimanne who had been a tremendous success at the opening position during this tournament likely being asked to move down to his regular position at number six.

Sri Lanka’s bowling attack simply appeared pedestrian during the tournament, but coach Marvan Atapattu refused admit the fact, opting instead to lay the blame for the humongous totals on the game’s format.

“It’s not only been common with us, it’s been common with most of the sides, even the Australians, who I think have one of the best attacks,” he pointed out.

“It is the way the format has been structured with five (overs) in the (Batting) Power Play. And then having wickets in hand, you basically play one-fourth of a Twenty20 game. If you have wickets in hand, it’s amazing the runs a team will score” said Atapattu.

Nuwan Kulasekara is also likely to play today’s game replacing off spinner Sachitra Senanayake, mostly as the wicket and conditions likely to favour Scotland and may help fast bowlers.

Seekkuge Prasanna who bowled good seven overs conceding just 27 runs while taking a wicket against Australians before being hammered for 30 runs in his last three overs bowled at the death is likely to retain his place ahead of off spinner Sachitra Senanayake for today’s game.

However Sri Lanka are keen to have injured Rangana Herath back in the line up for the quarter finals.

“We’re hoping to get the stitches out by tomorrow, and then make an assessment,” Atapattu said yesterday. “He’s been doing his fitness regimen from the day he got injured. He’ll start to bowl properly on the 13th when we get to Sydney. That will give him four days before the quarterfinal,” he added.

Sri Lanka (Likely): Tillekaratne Dilshan, Kusal Janith Perera, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Thirimanne, Upul Tharanga, Seekkuge Prasanna, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera

Scotland (Likely): Kyle Coetzer, Calum MacLeod, Hamish Gardiner, Matt Machan, Preston Mommsen (capt), Richie Berrington, Matthew Cross, Josh Davey, Majid Haq, Alasdair Evans, Iain Wardlaw