ICC World Cup 2019: Who are the biggest game-changers for Sri Lanka?
Less than 100 days remain for the all important Cricket World Cup 2019. Four years have passed since Australia lifted that trophy in their own backyard, and these four years seem to have passed through in a blink of an eye.
With so little time remaining for the biggest event in cricket, all teams must have narrowed down on their 15 that would be travelling to England - where the World Cup is scheduled to be held from the 30th of May 2019. And every team would have one player who has that X-factor which can help turn matches around.
Here is a look at such game-changer(s) from the Sri Lankan cricket team:
Sri Lanka have been in a phase of transition for the better part of 2017 and 2018. From the time when big names like Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Muttiah Muralitharan hanged their boots, Sri Lanka have been struggling and then some. This is probably the worst phase ever in their history
Winning the 2019 World Cup is a very far-fetched dream for Sri Lanka as of now. Going by their current performances, they will be happy to qualify for the knock-outs.
Sri Lanka's hopes in this World Cup hinge on two veterans. Lasith Malinga and Angelo Mathews are the two players who will have the biggest responsibility of carrying their team in the World Cup.
If these two players fail to fire, or even worse, get injured just before or during the tournament, then Sri Lanka's World Cup dream will be over before it even begins. The Sri Lankan board will have to preserve these players because they have both been injury prone of late.
Malinga and Mathews have undoubtedly been game-changers for their country over the years. On their day, if they have the will to win and to inspire the upcoming young cricketers of Sri Lanka, they can very well lead by example and show what they are worth.