Riding on 7 centuries from oldies trio of Sangakkara, Dilshan and Mahela and 1 from Thirimanne, Sri Lanka, completed its Group Matches ritual of 6 matches earning 8 points from 4 wins in Pool A. It lost to the dynamic hosts duo of Australia and New Zealand but decimated other four. With Malinga and Kulasekara the team is peaking at the right time for the knockout. Top order batting and Malinga appear good for knockout but beyond that Sri Lanka has multiple concern areas. For now it appears good for quarters only, unless it plays Ireland. Here is the analysis of their strength and weakness after the completion of group matches!!
World Cup 2015: Schedules and Results
Records Created
- 4 consecutive centuries make Sangakkara the first in ODI history to achive the feat.
4 centuries in same World Cup makes him the the first to achieve the feat. Mark Waugh, Hayden and Ganguly held the record before of 3 centuries in World Cup.
5 centuries by Sangakkara in World Cup is joint 2nd most century in World Cup, with Ponting. Just one short of Sachin’s record of 6 centuries in World Cup.
54 dismissals by Sangakkara is new record in World Cup ahead of 52 by Gilchrist.
4 centuries by Dilshan and Mahela Jayawardene in World Cup now.
Match Results
- 1. Lost to New Zealand by 98 runs
2. def Afghanistan by 4 wickets, MOM: Mahela Jayawardene (100)
3. def Bangladesh by 92 runs, MOM: Dilshan (161*, 2/35)
4. def England by 9 wickets, MOM: Sangakkara (86-ball 117* runs)
5. Lost to Australia by 64 runs
6. def Scotland by 148 runs, MOM: Sangakkara (95-ball 124)
Batting Performance in 6 Matches of Group Stage
Only 3 batsmen have been successful. They have won 4 but the challenge of weak middle order and lower order does remain intact. Dilshan, Sangakkara and Thirimanne have been consistent. Mahela was good in one innings and Angelo Mathews have just hit the 2nd fastest 50 (21 balls) by a Sri Lankan player. 18 players have batted for Sri Lanka in 6 matches.
- 496 runs by Sangakkara and 395 by Dilshan make them two top-most scorer of World Cup 2015.
5 batsmen have aggregated 100+ runs in 6 matches.
8 Centuries have been scored. This is the maximum by any team.
5 50s scores so far.
4 300+ scores by Sri Lanka is the most by any team in World Cup 2015.
7 100+ partnerships by Sri Lanka is the most by any team in World Cup 2015.
3 of the 100+ partnerships are between Dilshan and Sangakkara.
100+ partnerships involve Dilshan (5), Sangakkara ((4), Thirimanne (3), Mahela and Mathews (1 each).
Bowling Performance in 6 Matches of Group Stage
Although Malinga returning to form and Kulaseakara’s return gives their bowling a dangerous look, but overall bowling appears to be their concern. Both the hosts have already tore them apart so badly that Sanga, Dilshan and Thirimanne have failed to take the Lankans home.
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5 occasions when Sri Lankan bowlers grabbed 3 wickets in a match.
11 wickets by Malinga, joint 4th in the list of most successful bowlers of World Cup 2015.
Conceded 4 century partnerships, third most after ireland and England in World Cup 2015.
Only 3 maidens bowled in 6 matches.
2.85 by Kulasekara is the most economic bowling in an innings.
3 times an economy below 3.50 achieved by Sri Lankan bowlers. Once each by Kulasekara, Dilshan and Malinga.
87 runs in 9 overs by Thisara Perera is their most expensive spell.
Conceded 3 300+ scores in 6 matches.
Conclusion
Sri Lanka has struggled against the teams in form, but trounced others. In quarterfinals they will meet South Africa, Ireland or Pakistan. In the last 5 matches, all these three teams appear dangerous and unless they meet Ireland, Sri Lanka on current form may find it difficult to cross the quarter-final hurdle. Pakistan and South Africa can be tough teams for any other teams from Group A.
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