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THREE-time finalists Sri Lanka will play in a Cricket World Cup Qualifier for the first time but are confident this can be just an initial step towards matching their Cricket World Cup 1996 heroics.
Sri Lanka will take inspiration from the 1996 World Cup-winning team as they look to take the long route to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup later this year.
The 1996 champions are set to appear in an ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier for the first time after finishing 10th in the Cricket World Cup Super League with only seven wins from 24 ODIs.
As previous World Cup winners and two-time runners-up, Sri Lanka are sure to be a target for their less fancied opponents but will take inspiration from former glories as they look to progress to the Cricket World Cup 2023 in India.
“No one thought Sri Lanka would win the World Cup in 1996. So it is an inspiration, particularly the way they played as a team,” off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana told the ICC.
“We need to get all of this to our generation as well. The way (Arjuna) Ranatunga acted as captain, there are a lot of memories there for everyone.
“As a team, we have to do some things as they did in that period of time, but it’s also a new generation so we have to do things differently.
“The way that cricket is going is so different, so I think it is our time to do our best and try and win the World Cup.”
Theekshana was still four years from being born when Ranatunga led Sri Lanka to victory against Australia in the Cricket World Cup 1996 final but knows the story well.
The 22-year-old became the first men’s player born in the 21st century to play for Sri Lanka when he made his debut against South Africa in 2021 and etched his name in folklore when he took a wicket with his first ball.
Theekshana has since developed a powerful one-two punch with fellow spinner Wanindu Hasaranga and their partnership will be crucial to Sri Lanka escaping from Group B and then aiming for a top-two finish in the Super Six stage.
“I have a good partner in Wanindu, we know that opposition teams see him as a world-class bowler,” Theekshana said.
“They sometimes try to defend him and try to get runs from me but then I have a chance to get wickets also.
“I think that is a plus point for the team and for me because I am always getting the chance to add pressure.
“I know that he will always keep it tight at the other end so it is easy for me to bowl with him, and it is good for the team when he is around.”
Sri Lanka have appeared in every ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup but failed to reach the knockout stages in the first five editions of the tournament.
The first time they did so was in 1996 when they went all the way, clinching victory in memorable fashion over a rampant Australia outfit in the Cricket World Cup Final.
Sri Lanka have reached the final two more times since then, losing to Australia in 2007 and then to India four years later.
Online Reporter