Sri Lanka Seek Revenge of 2003 Upset Against Kenya

Colombo: Sri Lanka would look to bounce back after their morale-sapping loss in the last match and avenge their 2003 edition defeat at the hands of Kenya when they take on the African associate nation in their World Cup Group A match on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka, tipped as one of the title contenders, lost to Pakistan by 11 runs on Saturday and they would look to lift their morale with a big win against Kenya at R Premadasa Stadium.

They have also got the boost ahead of Tuesday's match with fast bowler Lasith Malinga available for selection after sitting out of Sri Lanka's last two matches due to a sore back.

Sri Lanka ill-afford to take their opponents lightly though Kenya had suffered heavy defeats at the hands of New Zealand and Pakistan in their last two matches and facing internal division with differences between their coach Eldine Baptiste and senior players.

Against the Kiwis, Kenya were bowled out for 69 runs, their lowest total in ODI cricket, and then Pakistan thrashed them by 205 runs at Hambantota.

But the last time Sri Lanka and Kenya met in a World Cup encounter was in 2003 and the Africans had stunned the 1996 champions on that occasion with an upset win in Nairobi.

Understandably, Sri Lanka coach Trevor Bayliss warned his players not to be complacent.

Kenya, on the other hand, are facing trouble ahead of their all-important match with reports of differences between players and coach emerging.

Cricket Kenya chief Samir Inamdar on Sunday blamed differences between the players and West Indian coach Eldine Baptiste for their lacklustre performances so far.

Kenyan captain Jimmy Kamande, however, dismissed suggestions that there was disunity within the squad and promised a better performance on Tuesday.

"I also read those reports. I have not spoken to the chairman, but I can tell you that my team is very solid. When a team loses people try to find excuses. The thing is we have not performed and we want to play well," Kamande told reporters at the pre-match press conference.

"Obviously Sri Lanka are a solid side. But we have nothing to lose. They are the ones who are under pressure to perform. Having lost to Pakistan, this makes a must win game for them and we will try and put pressure on them," Kamande added.

Teams from

Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (capt & wk), Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Silva, Chamara Kapugedera, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Rangana Herath.

Kenya: Jimmy Kamande (capt), Tanmay Mishra, James Ngoche, Shem Ngoche, Alex Obanda, Collins Obuya, David Obuya (wk), Nehemiah Odhiambo, Thomas Odoyo, Peter Ongondo, Elijah Otieno, Maurice Ouma, Rakep Patel, Steve Tikolo and Seren Waters.

Pitch and conditions
Scattered thunderstorms are predicted for Tuesday, but that is hardly unusual for Colombo. The weathermen say chance of precipitation is 60%.

Stats and trivia

• This is Steve Tikolo's fifth World Cup, and he possesses an all-round record that not many from stronger sides will mind - 739 runs and 15 wickets.
• Although Sri Lanka co-hosted the 1996 World Cup, this is only the second World Cup game being played at the Premadasa. Australia and West Indies forfeited their Colombo matches back in 1996 because of security concerns.
• Tikolo is six short of becoming only the second Kenyan to take 100 ODI wickets, after Odoyo.
• This is Afridi's fourth World Cup, but he is yet to make a half-century. His highest score is 37.

Head to head

• Total played 5
• Sri Lanka won 4
• Kenya won 1

Match facts
Tuesday March 1, 2011 (day/night)
Start time 14:30 local (09:00 GMT)