Every now and then we make Hegel turn in his grave by seeking truth in the part instead of the whole, perhaps because it is more fascinating in sports. It is for the same reason that, during Ireland's clash against Sri Lanka, all eyes will be on Curtis Campher after his four wickets in four balls against the Netherlands. This, despite the fact that Campher's spell alone did not decide the whole game.
Ireland's bowling attack is not all about Campher, who himself acknowledged the role the other three pacers played, by going for under six an over, building pressure on Dutchmen. That, in turn, helped Campher to take four in four.
Josh Little bowled four overs, conceded just 14 runs and picked up a wicket. Mark Adair's took 3-9 in four overs, and even Paul Stirling gave just a run in the only over he bowled. Adair and Little are likely to share the new ball against a fragile-looking Sri Lankan top order.
Pathum Nissanka is a Test specialist. The experiment to incorporate him in the limited-overs set-up has not worked so far. In the opening game against Namibia, he was leg before on 5. The top three combined for just 21 runs, and Sri Lanka needed a 74-run partnership from Avishka Fernando and Bhanuka Rajapaksa to mow down a target of 97.
On the other hand, their bowling attack has both depth and variety. Negotiating the spin of Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga, who shared five wickets against Namibia, is not going to be easy for the Irishmen. Dushmantha Chameera and Chamika Karunaratne will spearhead the pace attack.
Probable XIs
Sri Lanka: Kusal Perera (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (c), Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara
Ireland: Paul Stirling, Kevin O'Brien, Andrew Balbirnie (c), Gareth Delany, Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, Neil Rock (wk), Simi Singh, Mark Adair, Benjamin White, Joshua Little
Fantasy Tips
- Delany is in terrific form ever since returning to the side after knee surgery, and he is the crux of the Irish middle order. Against the Netherlands, he top-scored 44 off 29.
- Hasaranga and Campher are ideal options for all-rounders.
- Theekshana impressed against Namibia. Expect him to pose some serious challenge to the Irish batters in the middle overs.
Blitzpools Fantasy XI
Dinesh Chandimal, Gareth Delany, Paul Stirling, Avishka Fernando, Curtis Campher (vc), Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Dasun Shanaka, Mark Adair, Josh Little, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana