World Cup 2023: Sri Lanka’s campaign ends with a whimper

Sri Lanka’s campaign at the 2023 Cricket World Cup ended just like it began – with a loss. It didn’t look like they were in contention to win the opener, against South Africa, and it was similar situation against New Zealand in Bengaluru on Thursday. That would be the theme of their World Cup campaign, never did they look like contenders for the semi-finals, let alone for the title.

World Cup 2023: News | Schedule | Results | Points table

So, Sri Lanka finished with two wins and seven defeats in nine matches with only Netherlands below them in the standings. The campaign was laden with lows: conceding 428 runs against South Africa – biggest total in World Cup history. Being dismissed for 55 runs against India – fourth lowest at a World Cup. On the day at the Wankhede Stadium, they lost by 302 runs for the second biggest defeat in World Cup history.

Sri Lanka’s downward trend in white ball cricket has been visible for some time now. The 1996 champions would reach the semi-finals of the 2003 World Cup and go into the final of 2007 and 2011 editions. Since then, they’ve finished seventh, sixth and now potentially eighth. It is the theme in T20 World Cups also. From runner-up, semi-finals, runner-up and winner finishes from 2009 until 2014, they would finish eighth, eighth and seventh for three subsequent editions.

A team that boasted of the likes of Lasith Malinga, Kumar Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene and Angelo Mathews through the years would struggle collectively at this year’s World Cup. Sadeera Samarawickrama would emerge as their top-scorer, with 373 runs, and Dilshan Madushanka would pick 21 wickets to be the leading wicket-taker.

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Sri Lanka arrived in India after being walloped in the Asia Cup final by India. The low morale was worsened with injuries before and during the competition. On the field, defeats to Bangladesh and Afghanistan in the warm-up fixtures didn’t boost confidence.

Sri Lanka put up a spirited fight late in the game, but New Zealand seal convincing win to almost secure a semi-final berth 👊#NZvSL #CWC23https://t.co/8enyUcis3A

— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) November 9, 2023

Sri Lanka’s issues throughout the World Cup have been pronounced. Top order has been fragile with batters struggling to score consistently. While bowling, they’ve struggled to pick wickets – accumulating just 57 – only better than Afghanistan and Bangladesh. They completed just 70.21% of their catches which is the worst for any team this edition.

As the team’s miserable account continued in India, back home the blame game had begun. There were conspiracy theories of pro-India activities, question marks were raised over how the team was being led and more appropriately the players were being criticised for their performances.

If that weren’t enough, the chaotic combination of politics and sport found its match in Sri Lankan cricket. The country’s sports minister sacked the entire cricket board (Sri Lanka Cricket) and installed an interim committee led by Arjuna Ranatunga. Oddly, the committee included two sons of politicians, with no known cricket or administrative experience. A day later, though, this committee was struck down by the courts, and the old board reinstated.

Pramodya Wickremesinghe, the Chief selector of Sri Lanka Cricket team at M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru. Failure is an orphan. #SLvNZ #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/D0H0Y4Otpv

— DP SATISH (@dp_satish) November 9, 2023

While the eulogy for Sri Lankan cricket will be written in Colombo and across the island, there have been some positives. Madushanka has broken out and made himself count on the grandest tournament. Samarawickrama, too, was a positive influence for the rest to bank upon. Same can be said, to a degree, for Pathum Nissanka.

If there is a forward-looking approach, the board would be well advised to focus on the trio and find a strong combination with the experienced heads of Kusal Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa says he is also a cricketer and has a right to speak about the state of cricket in Sri Lanka.

Premadasa said that he played cricket for his school Royal College, Colombo. pic.twitter.com/kAF4NhUU7b

— DailyMirror (@Dailymirror_SL) November 9, 2023

Sri Lankan cricket produces surprise results and innings every now and then but what it needs is a sound structure to build for years to come. Instead, as is already visible, what it gets is political turmoil over who controls SLC and installs individuals with little to no willingness to improve things. Until that changes, deep forays into big ticket events will remain a distant dream.

Sri Lanka at 2023 World Cup:

vs South Africa: lost by 102 runs

vs Pakistan: lost by 6 wickets

vs Australia: lost by 5 wickets

vs Netherlands: won by 5 wickets

vs England: won by 8 wickets

vs Afghanistan: lost by 7 wickets

vs India: lost by 302 runs

vs Bangladesh: lost by 3 wickets

vs New Zealand: lost by 5 wickets