Sri Lanka need Mahela to fire

What does Sri Lanka's loss to South Africa mean to their hopes for a semi-final spot? Well, definitely not the end of the road but I am sure if one works out the permutations and combinations, it would leave them in a situation of needed to win all but one of their games. And looking how hot Australia is at the moment, it is likely that Sri Lanka would have to win their games against New Zealand, England and West Indies to be sure of securing a spot in the semifinals.

Can they do it? I think they are definitely capable of doing it provided the top order fires on a more consistent basis. It is well known that Jayasurya is sure to give a very good start in atleast every alternate game. Where Sri Lanka have been hurt in the past few games though is the poor form of Mahela Jayawardene and the lack of runs from Sangakkara. While I am convinced that Sangakkara's case is only temporary, Mahela's struggle with the bat is definitely a big concern.

After the amazing run in the Natwest series in England which saw him being named among Wisden's five cricketers of the year and firm his position as captain of Sri Lanka, Mahela has gone through a lean patch of 22 games in which he has scored just 1 fifty (85 against Bermuda after he was dropped off the first ball) and averages 25.11. Surely not the sort of numbers one would expect off him. And what this has done is placed enormous pressure on the inexperienced middle order consisting of Lanka Silva, Dilshan and Arnold. Sri Lanka really need him to get back to his normal fluency and touch to have any chance of progressing.

I think he is also currently batting at the crucial #3 position and while it gives him time to build an innings, he has been guilty of throwing it away after wasting too many balls. One option would be to play one of the lower order players at #3 or maybe even try Maharoof in that position and drop himself down the order. Of course, trying Maharoof there would mean that Arnold gets left out in favor of another bowler in the form of Dilhara FErnando. There may also be a case for giving Attapattu at the top of the order. Anyway, there are definitely issues to ponder for the team management. But the easiest solution would be for Mahela to strike form and get some fluent runs.