OVERVIEW:
Throughout the 2000s and the early 2010s, there has been a striking similarity in almost every ICC event. That similarity has revolved around how Sri Lanka have fared and the side has always impressed with their team performance throughout the years gone by. However, the retirement of legends such as Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene has left such a void, that the team still looms in a transitional phase even after more than two years of the two legends bidding adieu to the game.
At the helm of affairs is their captain from the previous edition, Angelo Mathews. The all rounder hasn’t particularly been in best of shape as frequent injuries have dented his career as Sri Lanka’s man in charge. Mathews’ injury woes are so damning, that the Sri Lankan selectors have already named a stand by captain in the squad if the need arises in the form of seasoned batsman Upul Tharanga.
Beginning their year by facing a whitewash in South Africa, the stocks of this Asian side have nosedived quite a bit. An encouraging T20 series victory in Australia offered some relief, but things looked gloomy again after they couldn’t beat Bangladesh in an ODI series at home.
Where To Watch:
1) Stadium:
If you want to go to the Stadium, tickets are available at ICC Official website and ticketmaster.com
2) TV Channels (by country):
| Country | Paid |
| Australia | Fox Sports (every game live) |
| Afghanistan | TenSports |
| Bangladesh | TenSports |
| India | StarSports (Every Match live) & Doordarshan (only India matches) |
| New Zealand | Sky NZ (Has not confirmed yet but most likely to retain broadcasting rights) |
| United Kingdom | SkySports 2 (Only network in United Kingdom to broadcast Champions Trophy) |
| USA | Willow TV (Viewers in the USA can subcribe to WillowTV monthly package to get live acess for Champions Trophy available on all plateforms) |
| Canada | WillowTV |
| Sri Lanka | Star Sports (India) |
| Pakistan | TenSports(to broadcast all champions trophy matches)PTV (might have live coverage of only pakistan matches. |
| Caribbeans | ESPN (not confirmed yet but ESPN is likely to win the rights in Caribbean countries) |
| South Africa | SuperSports(Confirmed as Champions Trophy broadcaster in South Africa and adjacent african countries) |
| Europe | No news so far about any coverage in European countries. But EuroSport might scoop it if they able to negotiate a long-term deal with ICC to promote cricket in other euro countries. |
| Middle East | OSN Sports (Usually broadcast major cricket tournaments in some of the gulf states) |
| Ireland | Since Ireland did not qualify, Irish viewers can only watch Champions Trophy via SkySports |
3) Live Streaming: Hot Star
4) Live Score: Sportzwiki.com
SWOT Analysis:
Strength:
Of this current squad headed to England, the major strength of Sri Lanka lies in the bowling department. With highly experienced campaigners such as Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Kulasekara around, the unit has at least two such performers who can single handedly win them the matches on their day. In the previous edition in 2013 when Sri Lanka made it to the semi finals, these two pacers were exceptional as they bowled some incredible spells. Despite being nowhere near his best, Malinga is still a champion ODI pacer and in what could be his final ICC tournament, Sri Lankan fans would be hoping for something really special from this legend.
The recall of Upul Tharanga has been another bright prospect and the southpaw can be relied upon to provide decent starts at the top. Enjoying a fine record in England as an opener, Tharanga along with Dickwella at the top will pretty much dictate the outcome of things. The last time this tournament was played, it was a left handed opener which won the Man of the Series award, this time as well, the trend could continue if Tharanga fires.
Weakness:
Rust is one massive concern for the Sri Lankan side on that flight to England surely. While the likes of Upul Tharanga, Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal are heavily experienced, they haven’t been quite like themselves in the recent past. It’s been a long while since Tharanga last played an ICC event; the 2011 ICC World Cup was his last 50 over ICC tournament. Mathews too has been riddled with numerous injuries and is nowhere near his abilities of 2014, when he was Sri Lanka’s man for a crisis. A similar case of Dinesh Chandimal is presented as the batsman was even dropped from the side not so long ago due to a prolonged phase of poor form.
Another weakness for the Sri Lankan side has been the absence of a quality spinner in the playing XI. For years, it was Rangana Herath, who did a fabulous job as the sole spinner once Muttiah Muralitharan called time on his career. Herath wasn’t just a wicket taking bowler, but also someone, who would keep an end quite for 10 overs and support the other bowlers. Lakshan Sandakan is surely talented as a chinaman, but on unresponsive pitches, he remains an unknown commodity. Seekkuge Prasanna is another spin option, but he is quite expensive and gets taken to the cleaners often.
Opportunity:
With Asian neighbours India and Pakistan around, Sri Lanka is grouped with familiar oppositions and they know the precise strengths and weaknesses of the two sides. Beating Pakistan wouldn’t be a difficult task for Sri Lanka as the men in green languish in the bottom half of the ICC rankings. If Mathews’ outfit somehow manages to upset either India or South Africa, then their prospects of making it to the semi finals would propel immensely. They will need just one performer on his day who could determine Sri Lanka’s fate into the next round.
A clear opportunity for the Sri Lankans, lies in the form of Kusal Mendis, someone who has already been termed as the batsman to watch out for. Mendis is the ideal replacement for Kumar Sangakkara as apart from being classy, Mendis can play as per the situation and be the fulcrum of the middle order.
The presence of three genuine all rounders in the form of Mathews, Thisara Perera and Asela Gunaratne gives Sri Lankan a colossal tactical gain. The three can combine to bowl 20 overs and this, in turn, can lead to Sri Lanka having the cushion of playing an extra batsman. In the context of high-pressure games, it is often this cushion which makes the difference between a victory and a loss.
Threat:
Despite having a group of their liking, Sri Lanka is set to lock horns with two sides that have decimated them over the last few years. India enjoys a tremendous record against Sri Lanka in the shorter formats since the 2011 World Cup and has always been miles ahead of them. One doesn’t need to rewind to a long phase to determine Sri Lanka’s misfortune against South Africa, as they were routed 5-0. Against two of their three opponents, Sri Lanka has been whitewashed in the previous ODI series they played against the mentioned teams.
Another threat lies in the form of an extremely volatile batting outfit. In conditions that are bound to assist the pacers, Sri Lanka’s top order will be duly tested and weathering this storm could be a task too cumbersome for some of the batsmen.
OPINION:
Despite having a side full of experience and raw energy, Sri Lanka won’t find it easy in their ICC Champions Trophy campaign. The side has several visible flaws coming to the fore and their recent history in ICC events hasn’t been encouraging by any means. Someone would have to give a once in a lifetime performance for Sri Lanka if the side is to advance to the semifinals.
PREDICTION:
Keeping in mind Sri Lanka’s strengths and weaknesses, the side most probably won’t make it past the group stage and at most will win just one match.
SQUAD:
| NAME | ROLE | DOB |
| Angelo Mathews | All Rounder (c) | Jun 2, 1987 |
| Upul Tharanga | Batsman | Feb 2, 1985 |
| Niroshan Dickwella | Wicketkeeper / Batsman | Jun 23, 1993 |
| Kusal Perera | Wicketkeeper / Batsman | Aug 17, 1990 |
| Kusal Mendis | Batsman | Feb 2, 1995 |
| Dinesh Chandimal | Batsman | Nov 18, 1989 |
| Chamara Kapugedara | Batsman | Feb 24, 1987 |
| Asela Gunaratne | All Rounder | Jan 8, 1986 |
| Thisara Perera | All Rounder | Apr 3, 1989 |
| Seekkuge Prasanna | All Rounder | Jun 27, 1985 |
| Nuwan Kulasekara | Bowler | Jul 22, 1982 |
| Lasith Malinga | Bowler | Aug 28, 1983 |
| Nuwan Pradeep | Bowler | Oct 19, 1986 |
| Suranga Lakmal | Bowler | Mar 10, 1987 |
| Lakshan Sandakan | Bowler | Jun 10, 1991 |
Fixtures:
1) Sri Lanka v South Africa, June 3 at The Oval (10h30)
Match Officials: Ian Gould and Aleem Dar (on-field), Paul Reiffel (third umpire), Bruce Oxenford (fourth umpire), David Boon (match referee)
2) India v Sri Lanka, June 8 at The Oval (10h30):
Match Officials: Richard Kettleborough and Rod Tucker (on-field), Marais Erasmus (third umpire), Paul Reiffel (fourth umpire), David Boon (match referee)
3) Sri Lanka v Pakistan, June 12 at Cardiff (10h30):
Match Officials: Bruce Oxenford and Marais Erasmus (on-field), Chris Gaffaney (third umpire), Ian Gould (fourth umpire), Chris Broad (match referee)