Sri Lanka have yet to peak, says Jayawardene

PALLEKELE:

Sri Lanka are still to peak at the World Cup, vice-captain Mahela Jayawardene said, as the 1996 champions prepare to tackle Zimbabwe and book a quarter-final spot.

Sri Lanka go in today’s game with five points from four games after wins over Kenya and Canada, a share of the points in a washed-out match against Australia and a narrow defeat at the hands of Pakistan.

The Malinga factor

Jayawardene believes that Sri Lanka’s campaign has been energised by Lasith Malinga’s belated entry into the tournament after the slingshot seamer missed the matches against Canada and Pakistan with a back injury.

“Malinga coming back into the team has given us a few more options in our bowling attack which is great,” said Jayawardene, of the fast-bowler who took a career-best six for 38 against Kenya. Malinga also took his second World Cup hat-trick during that match.

“I think we can still improve on our batting, try to bat for longer periods and make sure we build partnerships. Even on the field there is always room to improve.

“We are a very hard-working side when it comes to fielding. We just have to keep improving and make sure we make the most of half-chances.”

‘Don’t under-estimate Zimbabwe’

Jayawardene also warned his team not to under-estimate Zimbabwe who still have an outside chance of making the last-eight. “We rank Zimbabwe with any other team. I think they are a very good all-round side and we know they can be a surprise package so we are not taking anything lightly.”

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura said his team would take inspiration from giant-killers Ireland in their match against the much-fancied Sri Lanka today.

Ireland upset England by three wickets in a Group B match last week, riding on a superlative, record-breaking hundred from Kevin O’Brien to chase down a mammoth 328-run target, a lesson Chigumbura believes other teams must learn.

“Ireland always believed in themselves. We obviously believe in ourselves but there might be room to improve,” said Chigumbura.

The 24-year-old Zimbabwe captain believes his team has the capacity to follow in Ireland’s footsteps. “My team has been on that path. If you believe you can beat a bigger team, you can do that. It’s up to every individual to have that same belief and that gives me motivation.

“When you see other teams who don’t give up and end up winning, like Ireland did against England, that teaches you it isn’t over until it’s over. You can’t take anyone lightly.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 10^th, 2011.