*SRILANKA VS SCOTLAND MATCH 19 PREVIEW- ICC CRICKET WORLDCUP QUALIFIERS 2023*
*THE BUILD UP:*
Only a day’s gap in between the fixtures for both teams. They only have a 26th to cherish in the midst of tough and competitive cricket and to go out there and give it their all before the Super 6s begin. These two sides are the table toppers of Group B and have shown immense consistency all this while. The fact that they are undefeated so far with one game pending does give us an insight into the kind of cricket that has been played by them here at the Qualifiers. With 6 points apiece, both SL and SCOT would look to get to a round off 8 and give themselves some winning momentum before their team competes in the later stages of the tournament.
If we had to compare the prowess of Srilanka, then there hasn’t been any such kryptonite for them. They have flawlessly marched on, towards their goal and Wanindu Hasaranga, their premier spinner has roared in some style. He now has three back to back five wicket hauls registered next to his name which is a memorable feat for any bowler, even more so for a spinner because the conditions here are more friendly to the pacers.
Scotland on the other hand, have got an unexpectedly good start to this tournament. They have brushed aside all of Ireland,UAE and Oman and have conquered all odds so far. All that remains is the big threat that SL pose, with the skills and the experience that the Lankans have, they could be too hot to handle. Barring their first win vs Ireland which was a game to remember for the ages, the Scotts have more or less won in a convincing manner. Brandon Mcmullen and skipper Berrington would be key tomorrow as Scot look to tackle the uphill challenge of Srilanka. Both these batters have notched up tons in their last two encounters and would be raring to go out there and showcase their style of play.
*SL PROBABLE XI:*
Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis(Wk), Sadeera Samawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya DeSilva, Dasun Shanaka(c), Wanindu Hasaranga/Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha
Srilanka could look to rest Hasaranga for this last league stage encounter given how hard he has toiled in the last three clashes and has been the best bowler of the lot. Some match rest before the first game of the Super 6s would be an ideal scenario for the superstar leggie. He could be replaced by Karunaratne, the skiddy medium paced allrounder who’d be more than enough vs the Scotts, who’d look to come hard at the Island nation.
Excited to watch how Theekshana operates in the absence of Hasaranga. The former has been good but the limelight has certainly fallen over the wily leg spinner Wani. With 3 wickets in the first three games at a decent economy rate, Theekshana has surely undercooked but if Hasaranga remains absent for this final game, we could see him take over and get to know his ODI game better since he will be playing the role of a specialist spinner in the side then.
Karunaratne, SL’s opening star and a vital bone in their side has been an epitome of consistency with 2 fifties and a fantastic ton to back it up. The southpaw has been very crafty and has constructed his innings beautifully and even against Scotland on a slightly tougher pitch here at Bulawayo, he would aim for the same result.
*SCOTLAND PROBABLE XI:*
Christopher Mcbride, Matthew Cross(wk), Brandon Mcmullen, Richie Berrington(c), Tomas Mackintosh, Michael Leask, Chris Greaves, Mark Watt, Safyaan Sharif, Chris Sole, Adrian Neill
Keep a close eye on Chris Sole, who has been a key figure in the important wins of Scotland. In his short career of 26 ODIs, he has already gotten the better of 46 batters, averaging 23.83 and even in these pre-worldcup preps, he has shown his class with 4 wickets in 3 outings- averaging 28.5 with an economy rate of under 5. Though he failed to get hold of a single wicket against Oman, he was a miser little fellow, not letting the batters score off him and keeping them in check. His stocks have been on the rise and we could see a surprise of sorts tomorrow vs Srilanka.
We have often heard that captains who lead from the front are often the ones who are succesful in leading their side to victories as well. This one phrase applies to the genius of Berrington who has shown remarkable consistency throughout this tournament. He has a fifty and a century apiece with 197 runs under his belt, with an outstanding average of 65.67. But his real test not just as an operator of the fields and bowling changes, but that of the batting too, will come against Srilanka which are a much better outfit horned in all the three departments. He will be tested and his average will be checked once these teams lock horns.
*MY PREDICTIONS FOR THE GAME:*
*FOR SRILANKA:*
Highest run getter- Dimuth Karunaratne/Kusal Mendis
Highest wicket taker- Lahiru Kumara/Hasaranga(if he plays) otherwise Rajitha
*FOR SCOTLAND:*
Highest run getter- Brandon Mcmullen/Richie Berrington
Highest wicket taker- Chris Sole/Mark Watt
*FOR THIS GAME:*
Srilanka to emerge victorious and win 4/4