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Untitled Document
 Sri Lanka more positive than aggressive: Sangakkara
12th Apr 2007 13:01 IST
Agencies
Sri Lanka's wicketkeeper-batsman Kumar Sangakkara credited his side's rise in one-day cricket to the fact that they were now sticking to the "Sri Lankan Brand of Cricket".
"We want to compete by playing Sri Lankan brand of cricket. Most of the time we tried to change the game but now we've learnt our lessons," Sangakkara said about his side which is keeping even world champions Australia on tenterhooks in the ongoing World Cup.
Sangakkara said his country's brand of cricket was primarily be flamboyant yet disciplined.
"We've tried to emulate how we approached the 1996 World Cup. Our way is to go out, not aggressively but positively. Even leaving the ball with positive intent is a show of aggression to the opposition. So we are going our way, sometimes flamboyant but always disciplined."
It's these virtues which Sangakkara believe would be called upon most in their Super Eight game against New Zealand and more pertinently against the Black Caps' strike bowler Shane Bond.
"Shane Bond is one person we have to respect. He's possibly been the best fast bowler in the last six-seven months along with Malinga. Bond's late outswingers at rapid pace has been more than handful, especially against the left-handers," he said.
"We understand what he does. But we have played him often in recent times. We leave it to individuals to form their own strategy. Tracks here are slower and less prone to swing. If we can keep our focus and gameplan, we are going to be okay," Sangakkara said.
Malinga's injury is a bother but Sangakkara believed his side had the resources to step up to the challenge.
"We have a squad of five fast bowlers and it's up to each of them to step up when the opportunity presents itself. We've very balanced attack. Earlier it was spin heavy but now we have great fast bowlers coming in the last two years."
Sri Lanka's bowling has been their strength when even low totals, like they did against South Africa and England, are being defended well.
It could be yet another such day on Thursday as both New Zealand and Sri Lanka have conceded least number of runs in an over in this World Cup.
"It might be so but I think one-day cricket more often than not is about batting. It's up to the batters to set up totals for bowlers to defend because the wickets are getting better," he said. |
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