PALLEKELE – Sri Lanka are still to peak at the World Cup, vice-captain Mahela Jayawardene said on Wednesday, as the 1996 champions prepare to tackle Zimbabwe and book a quarter-final spot. Sri Lanka go into Thursday’s game with five points from four games after wins over Kenya and Canada, a share of the points in a washed-out match against Australia and a narrow defeat at the hands of Pakistan.
Jayawardene believes that Sri Lanka’s campaign has been energised by Lasith Malinga’s belated entry into the tournament after the slingshot seamer missed the matches against Canada and Pakistan with a back injury. “Lasith coming back into the team has given us a few more options in our bowling attack which is great,” said Jayawardene, of Malinga who took a career-best 6-38 against Kenya. Malinga also took his second World Cup hat-trick during that match.
“I think we can still improve on our batting, try to bat for longer periods and make sure we build partnerships. Even on the field there is always room to improve. “We are a very hard-working side when it comes to fielding. We just have to keep improving and make sure we make the most of half-chances.” Jayawardene also warned his team not to under-estimate Zimbabwe who still have an outside chance of making the last eight. Sri Lanka face a potentially tough last match against New Zealand in Mumbai so they can ill afford any upsets against the African nation.
