Here we GO !

[12th Man]

OK people! The day is finally nigh, we are in the ICC cricket world cup final AND we are up against the OZ. Be you an astrologer, die hard fan (read as optimist), a dreamer or a barking mad, your dreams and predictions are now realized. Dream time however is OVER and it is time to find a way to defeat the OZ machine.

If we play orthodox cricket the OZ will win. If you analyse Pontings comments after the RSA game you will realize that he said “they batted just as we wanted them to”. Now they expect the same from us. They have Sanath lined up and they know that should they get him early and get at Sanga who is not comfortable at no3 (according to all accounts) they get an advantage. The OZ with an advantage becomes a steam roller and woe betides anyone in their path. We also have 3 left handers and 1, 2, &3, now we saw what Nathan Bracken can do to lefties. A murderous line and length like that will make them struggle. We also saw what the “Sabina’s new master” (as he has been dubbed by Dileep Premachandran on cricinfo) did, with playing himself in and taking his time and then cutting loose. If we persist with the 3 lefties (which I am sure we will, it is too late to make any changes now) then we must follow the example of our skipper when he played that magnificient knock against the Kiwi. Take your time and let them waste the new ball by playing the minimum number of deliveries. Leave McGrath and his “military medium” alone and don’t follow the Saffers and chase the occasional bad ball and get out! If Sanga and Sanath get in against the OZ, our batting worries will be solved.

As for the bowling, I think it has been proved that we have the attack with the most variety. Now Ponting is a master and can play anything with his nimble footwork but Muscle bound hulks like Hayden will find it difficult to face the variety and thanks be to the Devas, it looks like Gilly is a little out of touch. If we find a way of not allowing the OZ to get on top during the first 10-15 overs and I feel changing the bowlers around and not taking the second powerplay at the 10th is one way, we would have won the first round of our fielding bout. If we are good enough to get 2 wickets during this period then we can reach for another 50ml of our favorite tipple with a sigh of relief. At this point I would like to remind you that this CANNOT be done in public if you do not wish to watch the end of the match as a guest of the Police force. However I am sure a free pardon can be arranged if we win!

The wicket seemed to be keeping low and judging by the way De Villiers played the OZ quicks it was slow as well. However we hear various “experts” saying how it will be quick and bouncy. If we get a similar wicket to what the Saffers got thrashed on and if Mahela wins the toss, I will stick my neck out and say we should BAT. We have the bowling and the nouse to defend most targets over 220 or so. If the OZ wins I am almost certain that they will bat and try to bludgeon their way to something over 300 and bat us out of the game.

Anyway folks the 28th is D DAY, here we GO, here WE GO, HERE WE GO!

[Andy Mellon]

I think the key for Sri Lanka to win (which I hope they do) is getting early wickets. At no point in this tournament has the Australian middle order been exposed to a firm ball. Rip out 3 wickets with less than 50 runs on the board, and we will then find out just how good a batsman Andrew Symonds really is in ODIs. Given the Aussies haven't had to do a proper 'rebuilding' job during this tournament, just getting those early wickets could generate the sort of pressure that could see the Aussies succomb. Let's not forget that this Aussie line up is the same one which folded in the CB series and not too dissimilar from the one defeated soundly by the Kiwis in the Chappell-Hadlee.

As a neutral, I will be hoping for a match that this tournament has been crying out for - a close game of a HIGH standard.

Even if this happens, the standard of play during this world cup (except from the Aussies, Sri Lankans, occasionally the Kiwis and from South Africa versus England) has been dreadful and symptomatic of what has been the worst cricket tournament in living memory.

I hope the Sri Lankans pull something out of the fire for this one.

[12th Man]

Thanks for that Andy, you are absolutely spot on ! We need early OZ wickets and I don't know if you remember a Champions trophy game in Colombo where we had Aravinda opening the bowling and he got Hayden and Gilly.

As for the tournament, I must say in retrospect that the ICC seemed to have no interest in having any spectators. They probably sold the TV rights, raked in the money and laughed all the way to the bank. This is ridiculous and it is time that Malcolm Speed and his cohorts were asked the hard questions.

I considered going over but when I looked at the internal travel and the related costs the only way I could even remotely afford it was if Sri Lanka topped their group and ended up playing most of the Super8 games in Barbados. This didn't happen and then it was impossible. Just giving the world cup to the West Indies has to be looked at and questioned. Even if the decision is justified, then the matched should have been played only in 3 Islands.

I am also worried about the umpires for the final. If the ICC persists with Rudy, it will be disaster. He is totaly intimidated by the Aussies and his ridiculous "slow death" will happen at regular intervals, with no justification.

[Nostromo]

I wonder if Maharoof will be given a place in the SL final XI? With his height, be might get an uncomfotable lift early on (espcially if SL are bowling first) and make scoring difficult. Also, Fernando had his problems in the semi-final and might struggle to hold is place if it is a direct choice between him and Maharoof.

But if the selectors decide that Fernando will be required as well - he can bowl round with wicket against the Oz left handers - then there is still another option. Russell Arnold has had a rather uneventful tournament so far, particularly with the ball. So, I wonder if they will consider replacing him with Maharoof for the No:7 spot and keep Fernando too. That will give a powerful bowling attack in the pacey Barbados pitch, but might slightly weaken the batting since Maharoof with the bat is not as reliable as Arnold.

[Nostromo]

Originally Posted by Andy Mellon

I think the key for Sri Lanka to win (which I hope they do) is getting early wickets. At no point in this tournament has the Australian middle order been exposed to a firm ball.

Absolutely true. I think a very early first wicket is vital especially if Oz are batting first and Jayawardene might do well to go into an all out attack mode to get this one. That will show-up one of Ponting's very few weaknesses - he does not move that left leg far enough early in the innings and therefore is slightly vulnerable to an inswinging ball and consequent lbw. No one is more adept and making a ball swing late into right handers than the wily Chaminda Vaas; therefore, if Sri Lanka get the first wicket early and expose Ponting to a hard swinging ball, Vaas might net him too. Definitely worth a try.

[12th Man]

According to the chief selector Ashantha De Mel, Maharoof is down to play the final. I think there is a mmix up in the thinking here because Dilhara is an attacking bowler and a specialist, Maharoof is not in the same league as a bowler.

Talking of in-swingers to right handers, remember that peach that Dilhara bowled to Tendulkar ?

[Nostromo]

I read that dispatch on Cricket 365. IMO, it is a mistake to drop Fernando even though he had a poor semi-final. He has pace and bounce and can be very effective on the Kensington Oval wicket. I know that it sounds harsh on the hardworking Arnold to suggest it, but I feel that he should make way for Maharoof, with Fernando remaining in his position. Unfortunately, there can only be 11 players on the field.

The question is, how much will the batting weaken by substituting Maharoof for Arnold? As a rough measure, maybe 20% or less. Maharoof has promised to try 200% if chosen and so will not throw his wicket away. But Jaywardene's bowling options will improve far more than just a matter of an additional bowler. With 4 pacemen and Murali to choose from, he can use Malinga in shorter spells like a true strike bowler and rotate the others as required. Remember that he will still have the 'other' option of Jayasuriya and Dilshan, if they are required.

[12th Man]

Arnold seems to be the skipper's lucky charm. Otherwise his inclusion cannot be justified. Maharoof in for him would be perfect. I wonder if Murali like Arnie at shortleg ? That may be the reason.

Arnold has announced his retirement after the world cup.....maybe he has already played his last match ?

[Nostromo]

A bowling attack comprising of Vaas, Malinga, Fernando, Maharoof and Murali should be very effective at Kensington Oval. Vaas is a strike bolwer in the first 4 overs with his swing and then moves more towards the exprienced & economical stock bowler; Maharoof is all of the economical stock bowler who can keep one end relatively tied up. That way, the striking trio of Malinga, Fernando and Murali can be rotated as the situation demands, still with the option of Jayasuriya or Dilshan available if necessary.

Arnold has bowled very little in this tournament and is in only for his batting ability as a potential finisher. He has done a decent job, but Maharoof in Arnold's place at No:7 can be nearly as good with the bat. It is a bit rough on Arnold when he has just announced his retirement but if the selectors do have to drop him, I am sure he will understand that it is for the team.

[vvvrulz]

I don't think a fourth specialist seamer is necessary, it basically boils down to choosing between the two, and I would definately go with Maharoof. They already have enough bowling weapons to keep them afloat, having a more sedate third seamer rather than someone who could go for runs I think is the better option for them. His batting is also a bonus and extra depth in the batting order might be vital in such a big match.

Dilshan and Jayasuriya will go through a lot of overs regardless, so they have plenty of options as it is without bringing on the extra bowler I would think.