da dobrowin： Ouch
CricInfo25-Feb-2003Ouch! Kenya have thrown Sri Lanka’s World Cup plans into disarray.Yesterday’s shambolic performance, fittingly described as “amateurish” by afuming Sanath Jayasuriya, means that Sri Lanka’s progression to the SuperSixes is no longer assured.© ReutersWorse, even if they do qualify, they will no longer carry through themaximum points that would have eased their route to the semi-finals.Sri Lanka’s day-night game against the hosts South Africa at Durban is thekey match – victory there will assure them a berth in the next round.”We did not play like professionals today, we played like amateurs. Webatted badly and our middle order didn’t click. This is my and the team’sworst day in cricket.”
(Sanath Jayasuriya)Even if Sri Lanka win against West Indies on Friday at Newlands, they willneed to win against the South Africans to avoid being on equal points withSouth Africa, Kenya and New Zealand.Should that happen then Kenya and South Africa would automatically qualifyon the basis of having beaten two of the three other teams.”Watching the game yesterday on TV showed how arrogant our players looked onthe field. Everything was done at an easy pace, particularly some of thefielders and the bowlers bar Murali, Vaas and Jayasuriya.”
(Yes Minister)Net run rate will then decide whether it is New Zealand or Sri Lanka thatqualify.And with New Zealand still having games to play against Bangladesh andCanada, Sri Lanka’s current net run rate of +1.73 could easily beoverhauled.Coach Dav Whatmore described Sri Lanka’s predicament as a “test ofcharacter” and that is an understatement.© CricInfoSouth Africa hold the psychological edge with memories of the recent 4-1toweling still swirling around the minds of the Sri Lankans.”Really what it means is we know what we have to do. From now onwards wedon’t have to worry about run rates any more. What we have to do is to getout there and win matches.”
(Dav Whatmore)Moreover, one fears the impact of yesterday’s electric Kenya performance onthe team’s confidence – a demoralised middle order is now under seriouspressure.All credit to Steve Tikolo’s side, they played with a verve and commitmentthat had hitherto not been witnessed in the tournament.The exhilarating jumping warrior-like huddle that greeted the fall of eachwicket will remain one of the most enduring memories of the tournament.”Finally Sri lanka have learnt a very valuable and very painfull lesson.Never underestimate the opposition what ever their rating is in worldcricket.”
(Ravi Ratnayeke)They batted with guts and fielded like men possessed – should they be ableto produce similar performances then there could be greater upsets ahead.© CricInfoKenya now have an excellent chance of qualifying, assuming they defeatBangladesh.Ironically, they will be now be supporting Sri Lanka as only a double defeatfor Jayasuriya’s side can deny them a place in the Super Sixes.