World Cup: Reasons why Sri Lanka won't qualify for semi-final
What's the story
The ICC World Cup 2019 is less than a month away. While there are a number of teams who are being tipped as favorites, former champions Sri Lanka are not one of them. Sitting on ninth spot in the ICC ODI Rankings, Lanka would need a miraculous performance to come out on top. We list five reasons why they won't qualify for the semis.
Malinga
Lasith Malinga's inconsistency could cost Lanka
In the last 10 ODIs, Lasith Malinga has delivered a below-par performance, claiming 11 wickets, while leaking 474 runs. However, he did put up an average show in domestic List A this season, claiming 8 wickets in three matches. His stats clearly show he is way past his prime in ODIs and the same can cost Sri Lanka in the mega tournament.
Top-order
Top-order lacks world class names
If we analyze Lanka's top-order, it is clear that they lack world-class names. While they have the experienced Lahiru Thirimanne atop, the proceedings are likely to be started by skipper Dimuth Karunaratne and Avishka Fernando. While Fernando is inexperienced, with only five ODIs under his belt, Karunaratne has not played an ODI since the 2015 World Cup. Things look difficult for the Lankan top-order.
Captaincy
Karunaratne's inexperience can hamper their chances
How can Sri Lanka appoint a captain for the World Cup, who has never led them in ODIs? Well, we don't have an answer. It was under Karunaratne's captaincy that Lanka triumphed in the Test series against South Africa this year, away from home. However, we don't see this as the reason to appoint him as the captain. His inexperience can hamper their campaign.
Recent form
No ODI series win since January 2018
In what could be alarming bells for Lanka, it has been over a year since Lanka last won an ODI series. Lanka have been on a slippery road ever since their tour whitewash against India in 2017, while they have won just a series since November 2016. Their world ranking of nine is justified, while a miracle is they need to reach semis.
English woes
England not a happy hunting ground for Lanka
England is certainly not a happy hunting ground for most of the teams, especially the sub-continental nations. Lanka too do not have a good record here, having won just three of their 14 ODI tournaments here. Moreover, their last ODI series win in England came in 2014, while they have won just an ODI in England since then. Need we say anything more?