t 20 world cup...............................

WHOLL HAVE THE LAST LAUGH

Both Sri Lanka and West Indies have played entertaining cricket in this World T20 to progress to the final.Both teams have an array of matchwinners.TOI does a swot analysis of the two teams

SRI LANKA



STRENGTH:

Home advantage.As hosts,they will have a vociferous home support.The Premadasa wicket could turn out to be a slow turner and Sri Lanka have a couple of distinguished spinners.Being better players of spin,Sri Lanka will be a step ahead both in batting and bowling.

WEAKNESS:

The middle-order gets slightly wobbly after Tillakaratne Dilshan,Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara depart.Sri Lanka have always done well when any of the three have batted well at the top.West Indies have a good mix of slow and medium-fast bowlers.The likes of Jeevan Mendis,Lahiru Thirimanne and Angelo Mathews have to play sensibly in case of any batting collapse.

OPPORTUNITY:

Sri Lanka have failed to win despite qualifying in ICC World Cups since 2007.Winning the World T20 at home would be a crowning moment for Dilshan Jayawardene,Sangakkara and Malinga as the four have featured on all the World Cup-losing sides.

THREAT:

Chris Gayle.If Sri Lanka manage to restrict the destructive opener within 20 runs as Aussie skipper George Bailey said,the home team can afford to smile.

WEST INDIES

STRENGTH: This West Indies side is replete with match-winners and Chris Gayle is a standout performer.Defeating Australia in the semis will keep them motivated.Darren Sammy will be tempted to retain the side that triumphed in the semifinal as Kieron Pollard,who took Xavier Doherty to the cleaners in the last over,seemed to have found his mojo at the right time.

WEAKNESS:

The team depends heavily on Gayle.If the Jamaican opener has an off day,the side fails to score runs with the same gusto.Also,the likes of Ravi Rampaul and Fidel Edwads can be slightly wayward with the ball.Its highly recommended that Darren Sammy talks to his speedsters about the importance on being on target.

OPPORTUNITY:

The Caribbean people will fancy this World T20 final as their best opportunity to win an ICC silverware in ages.Its a golden opportunity for Darren Sammy to bring back the smile on the peoples faces back home and reignite the charm of cricket.

THREAT:

Sri Lankan spinners.Barring Gayle,others in the Windies side are not good players of spin.