14 Monday 14th February, 2011

great form over the last near world class. opposition. They do not carry a lot of 12 months and South Africa is the other leading hype like their neighbours, but less contender. They have a very balanced expectation from this side may actual- and Pragyan Ojha will side with some quality fast bowlers ly work in their favour. They know the add variety. In fact, any and all-rounders. In Hashim Amla, conditions well enough and also have of the players in the they have a run machine at the top the talent. Whilst bowling is their Indian line-up can be a with some exiting young talent to fol- strength, they also have a couple of potential match win- low in the middle order. With Dale big-hitting all-rounders who could ner on any given Steyn, they also have the best fast swing the game in their favour within day. bowler in the world right now. Morne a few overs. However, their ability to Morkel, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Wayne be consistent throughout a tourna- Parnell and Johan Botha will com- ment of this nature may be a factor plete a very effective bowling which may go against them. line-up. They will be desperate England, contrary to the post Ashes to shed the ‘chokers’ tag, hype, will find it difficult to reach the which has continued to semi-finals. Their seriousness about haunt them since 1992. playing one day appears to be questionable. They have not done well in the sub-continent in the recent past either. Some key players have been hit with injuries and as a whole, the side appears to have lost quite a bit of steam. They were the bridesmaids in three World Cup finals and the chances are that they will not be the bride this time either. This leaves us with Sri Lanka, regarded by some as a possible winner M. S. Dhoni of the 2011 World Cup. They are the only team in history to have won the World Cup as a host nation. Playing in home conditions is their biggest advantage. It is no secret that Sri Lanka cherishes playing in their home tracks. The team is often filled with a barrage of spinners who are pretty effective in these conditions. They can make things difficult for the opposi- tion, especially during the middle- overs. They also have a couple of qual- ity all-rounders, something they lacked in the past. Sri Lanka did well in 2003 and 2007 mainly due to their penetra- tive bowling attack. However, the lack of real match-winning bowlers, other than for , the indiffer- ent form of Tillakaratna Dilshan and a Kumar Sangakkara fragile middle-order may have a bear- ing on Sri Lanka’s chances. Two distinct possibilities could be identified when one takes a closer look at the previous World Cups. In every World Cup since 1999, at least one top contender was denied a semi-final berth mainly due to a loss suffered at the hands of a minnow. With so many non-full members competing, it is rea- sonable to expect a repetition of this pattern in 2011 as well. Bangladesh, for example, may not win the World Cup, but can be a potential giant-killer in 2011. Handling their spin attack in home conditions can be a real chal- lenge, even for more fancied teams. Barring 1987, in every World Cup BY RENUKE WIJAYAWARDHANE final staged after 1983, a sub-continent f one uses ‘fundamental analysis’ team has become either the champions and ‘technical analysis’ - two meth- or the runner-up. In a tournament Iods generally used by stock traders which is played in the sub-continent, it to forecast the future price or direction would be rather surprising if this of a stock - to predict the winner of trend does not continue in 2011. the 2011 Cricket World Cup, there is lit- Each World Cup has brought to the tle doubt that South Africa and India limelight several top-notch players. would emerge as favourites to win the Jonty Rhodes and Inzamam-ul-Haq title in 2011. (1992), Sanath Jayasuriya (1996), However, we are well aware of the Lance Klusener (1999), Andy Bichel futility of trying to rely on established (2003) and Lasith Malinga (2007) have theories to predict the winners in the all become famous after the World game of cricket. You may have all the Graeme Smith Cup. Who can be that player in 2011? scientific analysis, but cricket - like The 2011 World Cup would com- any other sport - is driven by several back mence without a clear favourite, and factors other than just pure science from virtual no-hoper’s position to win India will be playing in front of the that’s what makes this tournament all alone. in 1999. This proves that the pre-tour- home crowd. This time the expecta- The Australian team is still a force the more interesting. The format of One need not look beyond the list of nament title favourites do not neces- tions are huge and the home side is to reckon with. There is a pretty good the tournament has also changed from past winners of cricket’s biggest plum sarily win the World Cup. under tremendous amount of pressure chance that they might peak at the ‘super six’ to a knockout after the to understand this. Except for the West Although there are no favourites in to win the World Cup. The team car- right time and may even go on to win league stage. A team can be very con- Indies in 1975 and 1979 and Australia 2011, India appears to be one of the top ries the hopes of a billion people and the World Cup. They may not have the sistent in the league stage, but from in 2003 and 2007, in all other previous contenders for the coveted trophy. The handling that kind of pressure would superstar-match winners of the previ- the quarter final stage it’s going to be world cups, the pre-tournament side is full of fire-power at the top, fol- be a real challenge to the players. This ous era, but they still have some decent anybody’s game. In 1996, South Africa favourites were toppled. India’s win in lowed by a solid middle order with a appears to be India’s biggest concern. players in their line-up who can rise to was streets ahead of the pack in the 1983 was the biggest upset in a World nice blend of youth and experience. Further, India has not been very suc- the occasion. One thing is for sure – first round, but lost to the West Indies Cup final to date. No one predicted They also have real belters towards the cessful in ICC tournaments lately. Australia will not be pushovers in any in the quarter final. We have not had a Australia to win in 1987. Pakistan late middle order. The seam attack Except the Twenty/20 final which manner in the World Cup. Australia quarter final level in the World Cup came from the dead and fought like looks potent and accurate with Zaheer India won in 2007, they have failed to could be the team to watch out for in ever since. ‘cornered tigers’ to win in 1992. Khan coming back after injuries. go beyond the first round in all ICC 2011. All in all, one gets the feeling that Sri Lanka’s win in 1996 was There are some quality spinners in the tournaments since 2003. And their Pakistan is the dark horse in 2011. this will be the most balanced and unprecedented and Australia came side who can be a handful on familiar fielding can be a worry too. Only Virat They are the most unpredictable team evenly contested World Cup for a long surfaces. Harbajan Singh has been in Kohli and Suresh Raina are anywhere and on their day, they can beat any time to come.

Tiger Woods of the US plays a Chilaw Marians lose by 3 wickets shot from the rough on the 14th during the third round of the BY ROSHEN STEELMAN ner Upul Indrasiri’s match bag of seven wick- Kanishka Alwitigala 4/51, Sajeewa Weerakoon Dubai Desert Classic Golf Woods falls short ets helped Ragama CC record their first out- 3/55, Dilruwan Perera 2/53) and 61 for 2 wkts Tournament at the Emirates Chilaw Marians, despite a heroic 104 by right victory when they defeated Badureliya by (overnight) 187 all out in 76.3 overs (Shihan Golf Club in Dubai, United Arab Kamileen 32, Demintha Dahanayake 72; wicket keeper batsman Harsha Cooray’s suf- an innings and 33 runs in the Premier League Emirates, Saturday, Feb.12, in Dubai with Sajeewa Weerakoon 3/63, Dilruwan Perera fered a 33-run loss at the hands of Bloomfield Tier ‘A’ match which ended at Moors SC 2011.(AP Photo/Nousha Salimi) in a thrilling Premier League Tier ‘A’ match Grounds, on Sunday. 2/55) played at Bloomfield Grounds, on Sunday. Sri Lanka’s Hong Kong Sixes winning cap- Colts CC 257 all out in 70 overs 3-over final round Blommfield’s Suraj Randiv was outstanding tain Indika de Saram’s rapid century for (Jeevantha Kulathunga 57, Ishan Jayaratne as he had a match haul of 10 wickets. Ragama CC was the highlight of the game. 51, Chaminda Vaas 37; Eranga Gangoda 4/47, Brief Scores: Brief Scores: Lassana Dias 2/48, Geeth Alwis 2/57) and 170 DUBAI, United Arab Bloomfield 399 all out in 91.4 overs Badureliya SC 190 all out in 54 overs for 5 in 37.4 overs (Roshen Silva 40 n.o., (Chinthaka Jayasinghe 138, Nadeera Nawela (Damith Indika 65, Ranesh Perera 56, T. M. Chaminda Vaas 31, Eranga Gangoda 3/41) Emirates (AP) - Tiger Woods is 49, Saman Jayantha 43, Prasanna Sampath 23; Kaushalya Weeraratne 4/54, Batsmen dominate in dull draw still seeking his first tournament Jayawardene 58; Janaka Gunaratne 3/74, Upul Indrasiri 3/23) and 139 for 5 (overnight) Chanaka Wijesinghe and Nimesh Perera trophy in more than a year after Dinuka Hettiarachchi 3/110) and 146 for 7 in 196 all out in 57 overs (Shan Wijeratne 57, scored half centuries to help Lankan CC reach coming up short at the Dubai 34.5 overs (Prasanna Jayawardene 47, Nipun Chanaka Withanage 32, Amil Prasad 33; Upul 338 for 7 in their second innings as their Desert Classic with a final round Karunanayake 26; Malinda Pushpakumara Indrasiri 4/72, Nilanka Premaratne 6/61) Premier League Tier ‘A’ match against NCC 3-over 75. 3/40, Janaka Gunaratne 2/18, Dinuka Ragama CC 419 all out in 90.5 overs ended in a dull draw, on Sunday. It put Woods at 4-under 284 Hettiarachchi 2/61) (Michael Vandort 62, Ian Daniel 73, Indika de NCC’s Dinesh Chandimal’s century was the for the tournament and well Chilaw Marians 219 all out in 49 overs Saram 115, Kaushalya Weeraratne 50; T. M. highlight of the match. down the leader board. (Shaminda Eranga 33, Chinthaka Perera 37, Sampath 3/97, Gayan Sirisoma 3/86) Brief Scores: Woods' final spot is still Mahela Udawatte 30, Geeth Kumara 26; Colts beat Saracens by 5 wkts Lankan CC 236 all out in 85.1 overs unclear. At least a dozen golfers 3/60, Suraj Randiv 3/94, Sajeewa Weerakoon and Dilruwan Perera (Ashen Silva 66, Dilshan Vitharana 48, had a chance for victory when Tyron Gamage 2/32) and 136 for 4 wkts shared five wickets between them to help Hemantha Boteju 41; Tharaka Kottehewa 4/28, Woods reached the club house. (overnight) 322 all out in 90 overs (Harsha Colts CC record a 5 wicket victory over Kosala Kulasekara 2/32) and 338 for 7 in 86.1 Woods began Sunday just a overs at close (Chanaka Wijesinghe 60, Cooray 104, Amal Athulathmudali 49, Milinda Saracens CC in the Premier League Tier ‘A’ stroke back, but struggled early Nimesh Perera 77, Hasantha Fernando 43; Siriwardana 40; Suraj Randiv 7/168, Lahiru Sri match played at Colts CC Grounds, on with two bogeys. He wrapped up Angelo Perera 4/77) Lakmal 2/48) Sunday. with a double bogey on the 18th. NCC 436 for 9 wkts (overnight) 452 all out Ragama record Brief Scores: Woods won in Dubai in 2006 first outright win Saracens SC 232 all out in 90.2 overs in 89 overs (Dinesh Chandimal 110, Jehan and 2008. Left arm fast bowler Nilanka Premaratne’s (Demintha Dahanayake 68, Dasun Randuka Mubarak 74, Farveez Maharoof 71, Yohan de match bag of eight wickets and left arm spin- 29, Geeth Alwis 27, Sumudu Suranga 25; Silva 47; Lahiru Gamage 5/79)