Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Hosts given duo boost ahead of T20


Ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup later this month, Sri Lanka have been given a real boost with the news batsman Kumar Sangakkara and pace bowler Nuwan Kulasekara are closing in on full fitness.

The hosts, according the T20 World cup betting, should be there or thereabouts come the business end of the tournament on home soil, did have concerns that the duo would be missing for the team’s opening game of the competition.

Sri Lanka get the World Cup underway on September 18 when they face Zimbabwe in their first game of Group C at Hambantota and there were doubts concerning Sangakkara and Kulasekara.

However the team’s skipper Mahela Jayawardene has revealed positive news regarding the pair, who are making positive progress in their bid to feature in the starting XI, with Sangakkara looking to recover from a broken finger whist Kulasekara is battling a groin strain.

He said: "Kumar is fine.

"He has been asking our coaches for extra net sessions and is coming along very nicely.

"Nuwan has been bowling at 80 to 90 percent during the last couple of weeks and next week we will let him push himself even further."

It’s going to be a tricky test against the Zimbabweans, who are vast outsiders according to pre-tournament Betfair Cricket Betting Tips, but will be looking to spoil the party on the opening day of the tournament.

Jayawardne has admitted the conditions in Hambantota won’t be the easiest but he is confident his side will make a positive start.

He said: "We have played at Hambantota before and the wind there presents some challenges.
"But it is the same for the other teams as well. With the experience we have we should see how we can use it to our advantage."

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