'Netherlands are playing good cricket' - Chandimal
Despite this history of putting less-fancied teams in their place, Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal has assured fans his team will not be beset by complacency against Netherlands
Sa'adi Thawfeeq
23-Mar-2014
Chandimal hoped to sustain momentum from the win against South Africa • Getty Images
Sri Lanka and Netherlands have played each other only three times in all formats in history, but among these matches has been a result that outlines Sri Lanka's glee at demolishing weaker teams. In 2006, Sri Lanka plundered a record 443 for 9 in an ODI in Amstelveen, in which Sanath Jayasuriya struck a 104-ball 157 and Tillakaratne Dilshan also hit a rapid hundred.
Despite this history of putting less-fancied teams in their place, and Sri Lanka's rampant form in the approach to the tournament, captain Dinesh Chandimal has assured fans his team will not be beset by complacency on Monday.
"Even though we are playing against Netherlands tomorrow, we're not going to underestimate them because we all know that they are a very good T20 team," he said on Sunday. "In this format of the game, any team can do well on their day and create major upsets. I watched that match between Ireland and Netherlands. Netherlands played some really good cricket in that game."
The tense victory over South Africa that opened Sri Lanka's World T20 campaign had been achieved despite the failure of all three senior batsmen. Chandimal hoped to sustain the virtues that have seen Sri Lanka build an unbeaten streak numbering 13 matches in Bangladesh this year.
"I am very happy the way we played against South Africa - a very strong side in our group - and managed to pull off a win against them. We're hoping we carry forward the basics to tomorrow's game, as we did against South Africa. We have plans for the Netherlands and we have good batsmen and bowlers to suit the conditions."
Kusal Perera's 40-ball 61 had formed the foundation for Sri Lanka's victory, but he had received some medical attention after being hit in the helmet by Dale Steyn. Chandimal did not rule out changes to his XI, but said Perera had recovered sufficiently.
"He had a bit of a discomfort yesterday but it seems to be okay now," Chandimal said. "Kusal is a vital player for us. He can be a game changer and he is also a very useful cricketer. We have lot of hopes on him and we're looking forward to him continuing his good form throughout the series.
"All are well and fit. No injury worries. We'll field the best possible team that has the confidence to win tomorrow's game for us."