Sri Lanka started the tournament on a wrong foot losing to host New Zealand by heavy margin. But then emergence of Dilshan, Sangakkara and Mahela saw them winning 4 matches. They did lose in between to another host Australia. They finished third in the group riding on the performance of Sangakkara, Dilshan, and Thirimanne. But, losses against New Zealand and Australia show they are struggling against in-form teams in alien conditions. Besides Sangakkara being the top scorer, they are already ahead in number of centuries and 100+ partnerships. Some improvement in bowling can get them into third consecutive final of the World Cup.
World Cup 2015: Schedules and Results
2015 World Cup: Complete Fixture in Indian Time
Sri Lanka Squads of All Editions and 2015 World Cup
World Cup Records: Batting, Bowling, Team Records of Sri Lanka
World Cup 2015 Team Statistics: Sri Lanka Batting and Bowling
MOMs
Four centuries have won MOMs for Sri Lanka as Dilshan and Mahela received one each while Sangakkara has earned MOMs in the last two wins.
Group Stage Match Results of SL
1st Match
- New Zealand def Sri Lanka by 98 runs
Score: New Zealand 331/6 (50/50 ov); Sri Lanka 233 (46.1/50 ov), MOM: Corey Anderson (75, 2/18)
2nd Match
- Sri Lanka def Afghanistan by 4 wickets
Score: Afg 232 (49.4), SL 236/6 (48.2), MOM: Mahela Jayawardene (100)
3rd Match
- Sri Lanka def Bangladesh by 92 runs
Score: SL 332/1, Ban 240 (47), MOM: Dilshan (161*, 2/35)
4th Match
- Sri Lanka def England by 9 wickets
Score: Eng 309/6, SL 312/1 (47.2), MOM: Sangakkara (86-ball 117* runs)
5th Match
- Australia def Sri Lanka by 64 runs
Score: Aus 376/9, SL 312 (46.2), MOM: Maxwell (53-ball 102, 0/35)
6th Match
- Sri Lanka def Scotland by 148 runs
Score: SL 363/9, Scot 215 (43.1), MOM: Sangakkara (95-ball 124)
Is it Just the Top Order!
They have scored maximum 8 centuries, 4 of them coming from Sangakkara in the form of a World record for consecutive 4 ODI centuries. 2 were scored by Dilshan, while 1 each were scored by opener Thirimanne and Mahela Jayawardene. Angelo Mathews has also batted well. Yet the success of the trio of Dilshan, Thirimanne and Sangakkara meant the middle order and the lower order has not been much tested for knockouts. Sangakkara leads the top run scorer league of World Cup 2015. They have also added many 100+ partnerships in this edition.
Bowling Not So Strong
Sri Lankans have grabbed 51 wickets in 6 matches. Old horse Malinga is yet to show his deadly strikes, yet he is their best bowler with 11 wickets bowling 57.4 overs. Bowlers have not been upto the mark overall. Their best performance is 3/20 by Kulasekara, who appears to be rising in his last two matches.
Bowling of Sri Lanka is a major issue considering the high quality of South African batting.
Record Awaited
- 1. 1 stumping to make Sangakkara the only wicketkeeper with 100 stumpings.
2. 4th consecutive semifinal, overall 5th awaited for Sri Lanka.
3. 1 century for Sangakkara to equal Sachin’s record of 6 World Cup centuries.
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