"Sri Lanka can win Champions Trophy" : Allan Donald

[sadida97]

Colombo - Famed South African paceman Allan Donald began his appointment on Tuesday as Sri Lanka's interim bowling coach, declaring the squad has the potential to claim victory in next month's ICC Champions Trophy.

Donald was hired by the Sri Lankan cricket board as a fast bowling consultant ahead of the tournament in England.

"The Sri Lankan attack has what it takes to win the tournament," he told reporters at the cricket board headquarters.

"Sri Lanka has a lot of skills. Lot of leadership with the ball... what is there to be scared of?"

Donald said his was an "inspirational role" and he would be working closely with the squad to assess their individual goals, health condition and personalities.

Sri Lanka head coach Graham Ford, a fellow South African, has been preparing the 15-man squad led by Angelo Mathews for the 50-over tournament starting June 1.

Donald will work with Sri Lankan pace bowling coaches Chaminda Vaas, Champaka Ramanayake, Ravindra Pushpakumara and Nuwan Zoysa.

Donald was one of Test cricket's top fast bowlers between 1992 and 2002, taking 330 wickets in 72 Tests at an average of 22.25.

http://www.sport24.co.za/Cricket/sri-lanka-can-win-champions-trophy-says-donald-20170502

 

[Nil Dhumrojal]

Surely they can if they try hard.

 

[shah_1]

The batting of SL is even worse than Pakistan these days, I see no chance of them winning.

 

[TahirFan]

Sri Lanka have some good young players and it's not inconceivable that they win the champions trophy

 

[Mamoon]

They have a better chance than South Africa, if it means anything.

 

[JibranAnsari]

Yah if australia , india and england pull out of champions trophy.

 

[SL_Fan]

Wonder how much they paid him to say that

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

Wonder how much they paid him to say that

they hired him as a bowling something so yes.

 

[Rudi hater]

Any team taking part can win if it plays the best cricket. What an insight by Alan Donald wow.

 

[Olympian]

One thing for sure, they have better chance than Pakistan to win this tournament.

 

[dildildalwalla]

The SL teams of the last 15 years have been very good ODI sides but right now, they are rubbish. Utter tut!

 

[SL_Fan]

they hired him as a bowling something so yes.

Fair point

 

[ads101]

The SL teams of the last 15 years have been very good ODI sides but right now, they are rubbish. Utter tut!

This is how I kind of feel. I feel like in the past we've taken wins over SL for granted, they were a very good ODI side.

But recently since the retirements of Sangakaara, jaywardene, dilshan they just aren't the same, not many have stood up to be counted. Matthews is quality, but not much else.

 

[idrizzy]

They only competition they have is with Pakistan on who will finish bottom.

 

[sl-fan-of-pak]

Sri lanka has a very good squad.

Tharanga can open with Kusal Perera

Kusal Mendis is in the form of his life, Chandimal will be No.4 - he too is in form these days.

Matthews No.5, Asela Gunarathna at 6 (in form) the explosive Niroshan Dickwella the wicket keeper can bat at 7 along with Thisara Perera at 8.

Kulasekara (who can bat) comes at 9, Sachith Pathirana / Lakshan Sandakan at 10 and Malinga / Nuwan Pradeep at 11.

Superb batting line up with enough power hitters. Malinga and Kulasekara are great death bowlers. Aselas dibbly dobblers will be priceless in swinging conditions. Matthews and Thisara can bowl, with the former being very economical. Pathirana (who's a superb hitter) will be the economical option whilst Sandakan will be the attacking option.

Variety in bowling, Chinaman - Offie - Slow left arm - Right arm fast - Right arm vinay kumar - Right arm dibbly dobbler

 

[sl-fan-of-pak]

Sri lanka will be good at the death and with the new ball, but where they will lose is during the middle overs.

Batting wise, it's digital. Hit or miss. Loads of hitters, and attacking players. Matthews and Chandimal may assume the tuk tuk role.

 

[dildildalwalla]

This is how I kind of feel. I feel like in the past we've taken wins over SL for granted, they were a very good ODI side.

But recently since the retirements of Sangakaara, jaywardene, dilshan they just aren't the same, not many have stood up to be counted. Matthews is quality, but not much else.

Matthews gets severely overrated imo but yes, he is probably the best player in their ODI side.

Whats really sad is that Mlainga is making a comeback lol

 

[BD-fan]

Sri lanka has a very good squad.

Tharanga can open with Kusal Perera

Kusal Mendis is in the form of his life, Chandimal will be No.4 - he too is in form these days.

Matthews No.5, Asela Gunarathna at 6 (in form) the explosive Niroshan Dickwella the wicket keeper can bat at 7 along with Thisara Perera at 8.

Kulasekara (who can bat) comes at 9, Sachith Pathirana / Lakshan Sandakan at 10 and Malinga / Nuwan Pradeep at 11.

Superb batting line up with enough power hitters. Malinga and Kulasekara are great death bowlers. Aselas dibbly dobblers will be priceless in swinging conditions. Matthews and Thisara can bowl, with the former being very economical. Pathirana (who's a superb hitter) will be the economical option whilst Sandakan will be the attacking option.

Variety in bowling, Chinaman - Offie - Slow left arm - Right arm fast - Right arm vinay kumar - Right arm dibbly dobbler

I hope they make some noise but the reality is all this = 1 win in CT.