DN WORLD CUP SPECIAL S DN World Cup opens magnificent aura SHARM DE ALWIS over from ‘ Cool’ The World Cup Cricket Ranatunga and is capable spectacle has opened in of getting under the skin all its magnificent aura of the opposition just as and takes on Arjuna handled meaning- Canada on the 20th in the fully those who tried to opening round of her needle him, but he does it quest to be World Cup in a more sophisticated winner in 2011. It is moot manner of one to the to reflect on the strengths manor born. and weaknesses between Then we come to the the conquering predeces- gray area which was occu- sors of 1996 and the pied by dependable eager, current crop. and When we were on the Hashan Tilekeratne. We threshold of the sixth now have Mathews, World Cup, Sri Lanka had Chamara and Kapugedera the dubious distinction of in rotation to fill the having lost twenty games, shoes of two demi-gods. the most number of However grand Vaas World Cup matches. But was in his heyday, Lasith most of the Gods and Malinga is not far demi-gods of the Pan- behind.Murali replaces theon have their country himself with more gar- residencies in Sri Lanka. nered venom like the They put on hold their doosra as the best bowler petty differences and the world has ever seen. worked together in one Pramodaya, Dharmasena common cause: to upset and have the apple cart and bring better replacements in home the laurels. , Kulasek- A man by man compar- era and Kandana’s No ative analysis is in order. Ball Junction Dilhara Fer- We have in Thushara and nando who is a Dilshan two openers taker and has the best superior to the specula- slow ball of any in world tive Sanath and Kalu who cricket. would wane as often they With such a breath-tak- waxed. ing line-up it is no illusion One down slot may be to have Sri Lanka lift the occupied in the event of a World Cup 2011 aloft quick wicket, by Sama- above the heads of the Inauguration raweera who is as capable players and I take the lib- as Gurusinghe to keep the erty to print what I barn door closed. The received from Sasi Gane- next slot was occupied by shan, the prolific opening the murderous Aravinda bat of S Thomas’ who cap- who has had no compari- tained the school in his son for pulverising attack third year in 1976. but he is on record having It is a song written by a said that Mahela would in young Australian bowler splendour, glory the fullness of time be bet- on his maiden visit to the ter than himself. dustbeds of the subconti- Next we come to the nent where he is, pre- immaculate Kumar San- dictably, flogged by the gakkara, arguably the best batsmen. It is to be sung batsman today in the to the tune of John world circuit. He takes Lennon’s ‘Imagine’.

Imagine the grass is even Not easy, you can try No hell facing us No sixes in the sky Imagine all the pitches Seaming for today,oohoohooh ✶ ✶ ✶ ✶ ✶

Imagine all the countries Coming here to play The batsmen making merry And the bowlers getting flayed Imagine all this outfield With a little less....dewwwwwww. ✶ ✶ ✶ ✶ ✶

You may say I’m a seamer But I’m not the only one I hope some curator will hear us We’ll take more than one ✶ ✶ ✶ ✶ ✶

Imagine no five-fors I wonder if you can Don’t know if I can take a wicket Let alone bowl to a plan Imagine we’re all at Perth Sharing 20 scalps... Yeahaaaaah ✶ ✶ ✶ ✶ ✶

You may say I’m a seamer But I’m not the only one I hope these guys come down under And then we will have some fun