Lankans being lionized to lambast Kiwis at World Cup opener
Sri Lanka’s hopes for the World Cup opener on February 14 are on an upward trajectory with the players in their best of mind frame and gelling well, while the secret weapons Malinga is all set to unleash his force at the opponents, Chief Selector Sanath Jayasuriya told the Sunday Times, prior to his departure to New Zealand yesterday.
Lasith Malinga reportedly is in fine shape after training
“After the win in the last outing the Lankan team is in much better shape mentally and began their serious training sessions today. We are putting all our concentration for the big one, the World Cup curtain raiser, on the fourteenth against New Zealand, and I am sure after some time the Lankan team will be in full strength for this game,” said Sri Lanka’s former swashbuckling opener. Though our cricketers had a break from the game, some of them were in training, according to Jayasuriya.
The Chief selector was happy that the Lankan mainstay in fast bowling — Lasith Malinga — was training through this period and reportedly is in fine shape. Besides Malinga, Sachithra Senanayake who is bowling with his reshaped action was also busy working on the deliveries that the Kiwi batsmen cherished and tightening up the loose ends while Jeewan Mendis was also performing well at the nets.
Talking about the combinations Jayasuriya elaborated, “The very first game is a crunch game for us and we should be in the best mind frame for this game and I feel the team is gelling back to its own levels now.
“On the top of the batting list we have pinned our hopes on the Dilshan-Thirimanne combination as they have been putting the runs on the board whenever they have been entrusted with the opening slot. The upper middle order is solid once again with the return of skipper Mathews. Besides, 
there is a good chance of Dinesh Chandimal fitting into the number six slot.
“In the number seven position we are still toying with the idea of what it would be, if it is going to be a spinning allrounder or if it is going to be fast bowling allrounder. The rest of the slots will be occupied by the specialist bowlers – a department that will be spearheaded by Malinga.”
Jayasuriya also added that former Sri Lanka fast bowling Coach Rumesh Ratnayake has arrived in New Zealand and has had a session with the bowlers who were in training and he is also working closely with the team fast bowling coach Chaminda Vaas.
The chief selector summed up by saying, “After playing seven matches against New Zealand, we know a lot about their strengths and weaknesses. But, what we have in store for this vital game can keep them guessing and we must try to score on that.”