Sri Lanka cricket coach Chandika Hathurusinha contends that the team has enough of potential to contest the World Cup and that rivals teams would be making a mistake if they take his players lightly.
Hathurusinha made his remarks on the eve of the team’s departure to England to contest the World Cup.
“Whether we are favorites or not we have to prepare accordingly. This team has enough talent and if they can execute the game plans to the best of their ability we can go a long way,” said Hathurusinha. “If the opponents take our team lightly we can give them a good fight to win the game. Not only myself but also the other support staff and players have one target and that is to go forward with what we have,” added Hathurusinha.
He said he was confident the players would be able to adjust to the conditions in England despite being restricted in their preparations at home.
“We could not go through the normal practice schedule due to the present situation here but we hope to adjust in England with our preparation plans. We have so many plans and hope to do it according to the match situation.
“As players they have to execute the plans on match day. This unit had enough talent and potential and if we perform to the best of our ability we can go a long way. The players are aware of that,” said Hathurusinha.
He was particularly impressed with Dhananjaya de Silva who he said was the top all-rounder in the team going into the World Cup.
“Dhananjaya has bowled very well. He has given us flexibility with his bowling that compliments his batting and fielding. He has certainly made a rewarding case and he brings so much balance to the team,” said Hathurusinha.
Sri Lanka’s first World Cup match is against New Zealand on June 1 after a two-match ODI series against Scotland.
The team will have eight days of practice at Merchant Taylors’ School in England, a venue, that’s above and beyond standards and where heavyweights India and Australia have used facilities prior to their tours earlier.