Kenya hope to avoid mismatch

The last time Sri Lanka played Kenya in a World Cup, they did so despite security concerns in the country, choosing not to follow New Zealand, who forfeited their game in Nairobi. No amount of concerns over security would have prepared Sri Lanka for what happened: a shocking 43-run defeat against a spirited home side. It was 2003, and to borrow from the pop-sport anthem, it was time for Africa. Kenya were a seriously good side then, and would have had every right to feel indignant about not being a Test side. Eight years on, their side well and truly reflects the political turmoil the country has gone through, and the general neglect of the sport. Suffice to say, no such upset can be fantasised about this time.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have gone from strength to strength since 2003. All they will want is for the Colombo rains – which are never too far away any time of the year – to stay away, and then notch up the two points by playing solid cricket. There will be disappointment after Sri Lanka lost to Pakistan. It could result in the hosts having to play a better team in the quarter-final than they would ideally want, but there aren’t many teams who can claim to have faced the ghosts that appear only under the Premadasa floodlights, and lived to tell the tale.

Pitch and conditions: Scattered thunderstorms are predicted for Tuesday, but that is hardly unusual for Colombo. The weathermen say chance of precipitation is 60%. Now that becomes slightly gloomy. Be that as it may, the game should become interesting if Kenya get to bat first and set Sri Lanka a fighting target under the lights. The pitch, though, hardly holds any demons otherwise.

Watch out for: In his 15th year of international cricket, Thomas Odoyo is still going strong. His opening spell against Pakistan was the only positive Kenya could take away from their first game of the World Cup. They will need much more from him to compete against Sri Lanka. Considering how successful Shahid Afridi’s spin was against the Kenya batsmen, Muttiah Muralitharan could be in for a wicket-fest too.

Team news: Sri Lanka, strong favourites to win the World Cup, had one problem area when they started out. They have the class of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene and Nos. 3 and 4, and the hitting prowess of Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera in the lower order. The link between them, though, gets exposed every now and then. Chamara Silva’s fifty against Pakistan, though, might just mean he is the lesser of the evils. The other Chamara, Kapugedera, doesn’t have the results to match the flair he seeks to exhibit. Lasith Malinga is reportedly fit but whether he will play is not yet certain, Daily Times reports.