Lankans must be... RUTHLESS Don’t underestimate the Kiwis:

Jacob Oram

RUTHLESS. That must be the idea when he Sri Lankans take the field against New Zealand in the first semi-final of the 2011 World Cup at the R Premadasa Stadium under lights today. The Lankans have performed creditably so far to come into this position. Now that they are two matches away from the pot of gold they should not drop their guard, until the knockout blow is delivered.

What is the need of the hour is that we not allow complacency to spoil the good and hard work done. The Lankans if they believe in their ability and perform at peak, should beat the Kiwis and celebrate the entry into the final. And there is no reason why they should not.

No easy beats

They will do well not to take the Kiwis lightly and think they are easy beats. The South Africans thought it was a walk in the Park, took it easy dropped their guard and the Kiwis grabbed the opportunity to feign and deliver the knockout blow and paste the ‘chokers’ tag on them.

Now that the Kiwis are in the semis, they will come out firing heavy artillery and the Sri Lankans must not only defend, but fire back stingers to destroy the push.

Before going on to comment and analyze the two teams and their chances, the Lankan fielders will do well no to repeat the shameless catching they displayed against England.

Comedy of catching

It was a comedy to watch Thilan Samaraweera, Angelo Mathews and Rangana Herath grass simple catches. Probably it would have been their off day.

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