Sri Lanka out to add to their laurels in Kenya

Daily News

Wednesday 25 September 1996


World Cup and Singer trophy one-day champions Sri Lanka are out to add to their laurels when they begin their campaign against Kenya and two other nations in the Golden Jubilee 4 - nation tourney from Saturday at the scenic Nairobi Gymkhana Club Ground.

The Kenyan Cricket Association affiliated to the International Cricket Council and the Kenya National Sports Council and National Olympic Committee of Kenya has left no stone unturned to see to the successful completion of this 'instant' tournament.

The Kenyans did a wonderful job when they conducted the World Cup qualifying tourney and led by the Chairman of the Organising Committee Sharad Ghai and they are determined to put up an even better show this time round.

The participating teams - South Africa, Pakistan and Sri Lanka along with the hosts Kenya are confident of performing at peak and it all points out to an exciting show.

The Lankans a undoubtedly will be the draw and the side the other teams will want to beat. The Lankans are aware of this and have been trained to smother any opposition.

The Lankans are a brilliant all round combination. What has gone to make them a brilliant side in this type of game is their excellent and out of this world fielding. No one can challenge the fact that they are the best fielding side in the world today and this they underlined in the World Cup and Singer World Series competitions.

The other side that can come second best in this aspect is South Africa with the marvellous Jonty Rhodes showing the way. He is a one-man fielding side who can throw out or catch the vital wicket.

The Lankans and South Africans did not play each other in the World Cup and have not met in this 'cowboy game' for some time. They will be apprehensive when they front up and the gut feeling is that the Lankans will come out victors with their better allround capabilities.

Cricketers and cricket fans in Kenya with a good sprinkle of Sri Lankans too are all keyed up and have taken days off to watch Lanka's two dazzlers Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharne in action.

They are all confident that the duo will provide the fireworks that they are now famous for. If they get going all Kenya will urge that the Lankans be got out here more often.

Jayasuriya and Kaluwitharne will be up against world class pacemen in Allan Donald, Fannie de Villiers and Brian McMillan of South Africa and Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis of Pakistan. But Jayasuriya and Kaluwitharne have it in them to take any attack apart and the pacemen will be like any other bowlers to them.

Pakistan are here fresh after their success in the Sahara Cup tourney in Toronto, Canada where they beat the Indians by 3 matches to 2. Under Wasim Akram they have improved a lot and will be determined to continue in the winning frame.

Whatever is said and done it is going to be cricket luverly cricket as the West Indians would say with the winner unknown till the final ball is bowled.


Source: The Daily News

Contributed by CricInfo Management
Date-stamped : 25 Feb1998 - 15:02