Previewing Champions Trophy 2009: SWOT Analysis of Sri Lanka

ICC Champions Trophy

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Sri Lanka is placed in Group B along with New Zealand, South Africa and England.

They won the tournament in the third edition in 2002, but after that, their performance hasn’t been great and no doubt the team would like to change that.

Strengths

A very strong and a balanced bowling attack is their biggest strength. In the earlier days it used to be only the spinners who would rule the roost, what with the likes of Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis doing the job for SL. But with the proliferation of the quick bowlers like Nuwan Kulasekera – the current number one ODI bowler – Thilan Thushara, Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews and even a Farveez Maharoof, it does look like a bowling side to watch out for.

Weaknesses:

The batting isn’t where it was during the late 1990s and the early 2000s. And with Sanath Jayasuriya looking off-color in the last few series, the aggressive sting seems to have gone missing from the line-up. They do have Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene on their side, but need someone like Tillakaratne Dilshan in the middle overs to assist in getting the run-rate up to the levels that is needed in a fifty overs format.

Opportunities:

These days New Zealand and England are struggling with their cricket in the shorter format of the game and this will be Sri Lanka’s best chance to put across both the sides. With strong bowling to get the better of their opposition on track that should support their brand of bowling. Sri Lanka’s best combination would be to beat both these sides at least, and qualify for the semi-finals.

Threats:

Sri Lanka faces South Africa, the most favored team of the tournament in their very first game. And a loss there could put a lot of pressure on the Lankans to win their remaining two games, which could cause a flutter or two if the team is put under pressure in their remaining games.