Sri Lanka can emulate 1996 World Cup winning team, says Maheesh Theekshana

16 June 2023 06:39 pm - 25 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka might be embodying the spirit of its 1979 team, having to qualify for this year’s Cricket World Cup, but spinner Maheesh Theekshana believes it could be the first step in emulating the heroics of the 1996 team that beat Australia to win the sport’s marquee tournament instead.

Sri Lanka begin their Cricket World Cup Qualifiers campaign against the United Arab Emirates in Bulawayo on Monday, having missed out on directly qualifying for the tournament for the first time in 44 years.

“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 ahead of the first qualifying match.

“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.”

Sri Lanka will be favoured to progress to the Cricket World Cup, boasting a strong fast bowling attack comprising of Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana and Lahiru Kumara, with Theekshana making up a formidable spin-bowling partnership with Wanindu Hasaranga.

“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,” he added.

“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 finished tenth in the Cricket World Cup Super League, outside the eight automatic qualification spots for the 50-over World Cup.

They will face Oman on June 23, Ireland on June 25 and Scotland two days later, before the top teams in each pool move onto the Super Fours round.

The two finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers will determine the two final teams that will take part at the 2023 Cricket World Cup in India.

(Shehan Daniel)

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Comments - 25

Karalasingam Sivalingam Friday, 16 June 2023 08:21 PM

Congratulations. Our boys are doing well they have confidence to win the world Cup with good balling.

IPL destroyed cricket in general and Sri Lankan cricket in particular Friday, 16 June 2023 08:51 PM

1996 was a magical year for Sri Lanka and it’s cricket, a great cricket captain who was honest and determined , talented players, and a courageous coach. And there was no such thing as Indian Premier League.

Lion2305 Friday, 16 June 2023 09:39 PM

I would say STERGICAL Coach and a Professional and Disciplined Cricket Board President in 1996 which was critical to win the Cricket World Cup !!!

Tissa Fernando Friday, 16 June 2023 09:16 PM

Can someone advise these guys not to talk big before anything is won. They always talk big first and go to the field with over confidence and then come back like chicken who were badly beaten by the foxes. Please note that empty wessels sound big.

Jude Friday, 16 June 2023 10:14 PM

Theekshana, It's a pipedream. For starters the present SL White Ball captain NOTTA strong leader as Arjuna. As an leader you got to lead from front, and must contribute to team success on regular basis!! Last few years SL lost 70% of White Ball games. On any given time 4-5 players must play exceptional game to win White Ball games. I find present bunch attitude lacking vigor. More often winning is not the priority.

Giriya Friday, 16 June 2023 10:27 PM

Too early to talk about winning world cup. We are yet to qualify!

cricketer Saturday, 17 June 2023 12:48 AM

The problem is that SL captains do not have the killer instinct to beat the best. SL players have good talent, but their body language on the field shows no interest in winning. They are inactive and seem fearful. Too bad. They act like retired players and not like professional athletes. And they have to play like a Team and not like induviduals

Sri Lankan Saturday, 17 June 2023 01:56 AM

@ IPL destroyed Cricket in general and Sri Lankan cricket in particular ::: You are absolutely right. IPL introduced insane greed for money among cricketers and damaged them further by creating the atmosphere for corruption stemming from Indian criminal net work of betting syndicates.

VJ Saturday, 17 June 2023 08:43 AM

A player like Theekshana could take a few wickets occasionally, but leak a lot of runs with his poor fielding. 1996 was a long time ago. Our team deserve every credit for winning the championship, but should not get carried away with that success. There are other factors which helped us in the final outcome. It was an evening in Lahore with heavy dew, Even Shane Warne went wicket less. We have not won the WC since then, though we made it to the finals on numerous occasions. The game has changed, technics have changed, mindsets have changed, prize money is comparatively high. Stop thinking about the past, gear yourselves to deal with the present day challenges.

Samson de Silva Saturday, 17 June 2023 09:13 AM

Yes, Mahesh Theekshana. After all you beat the hell out of the mighty USA cricket team. So, you have every right to brag about how good you are. It is not important that the USA team is just a bunch of Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi guys put together to form a cricket team, just because of their love of the game. They neither have a rich cricket board nor are they paid the big bucks that you guys make. Let's wait until we see what happens if there is a SL v Nepal game, before you talk big and shoot your arrows! BTW what a stupid celebration is that arrow shooting act?

Mohan Saturday, 17 June 2023 10:01 AM

I would suggest, even of you have the skills to beat big teams, it would be advantageous not to talk big and fly under the radar, so that you don't exert pressure on yourselves.

Anura jayantha Saturday, 17 June 2023 10:05 AM

No way..they did not have a Cupid like you who thinks getting a wicket and showing off is winning the match!

Wishful Thinking Saturday, 17 June 2023 11:26 AM

Way to go Mahesh we beat the daylights out of USA and who going to be next? Russia? Germany, China, Brazil the list is long. Good luck anyways!!

Gaston Saturday, 17 June 2023 12:04 PM

Emulate yes. But put a stop to bow and arrow show after a wicket

Brad Saturday, 17 June 2023 12:06 PM

Oh for god's sake Stop coming to mics and making statements

Cricket Fan Saturday, 17 June 2023 12:11 PM

THE TEAM IN 1996 WAS WORLD CLASS AND CANNOT BE COMPARED WITH THE PRESENT LOT. WE HAD THE LIKES OF ARAVINDA DE SILVA,SANATH JAYASURIYA, MURALIDARAN, CHAMINDA VAAS, KALUVITHARANA,MAHANAMA AND A GREAT CAPTAIN IN ARJUNA RANATUNGA. SUCH A COMBINATION CANNOT BE FOUND NOW !

Tuan Sunday, 18 June 2023 07:26 AM

You missed one down batsmen Asanka Gurusinge

Jef Saturday, 17 June 2023 01:15 PM

Sri Lankan 96 winning team was we'll deciplin talented all rounders never let the team sprit down a great bunch of cricketers and not forgetting the coach

Jef Saturday, 17 June 2023 01:15 PM

Sri Lankan 96 winning team was we'll deciplin talented all rounders never let the team sprit down a great bunch of cricketers and not forgetting the coach

Rasheed Cader Saturday, 17 June 2023 01:53 PM

It is a good thing to have the confidence that you may be able to win the World Cup. The game has changed a lot since 1996. We need to have a good batting line up backed by bowlers who can bowl 10 good overs each. The spinners must deliver and this will be significantly critical. As always the team will be supported.

Citizen Saturday, 17 June 2023 05:33 PM

First and foremost qualify for the world cup and then speak about winning the World Cup

Ferdinan Perera Saturday, 17 June 2023 10:19 PM

I'm really happy on three things. - Theekshana is talking in a winning morale. - He is well grounded on his abilities. - His understanding about his role with Wanidu. Good luck.

Sunil Kumar Sunday, 18 June 2023 04:04 AM

IT WOULD BE GOOD ADVISE TO QUALIFY FIRST AND PLAY IN THE WORLD CUP RATHER THAN UTTER SPECULATIVE WORDS WHERE MORALE HAS ONLY A FRACTION TO DO WITH REALITY. SRI LANKA'S STATE OF HAVING TO QUALIFY IS THE DOING MOSTLY OF THE SLCA WHO HAVE MESSED UP BIG TIME. COMPARING WITH ARJUNA'S TEAM SOUNDS RIDICULOUS, BE REALISTIC!

cricket crazy Sunday, 18 June 2023 05:05 AM

It is 27 years since Sri Lanka won the world cup in 1996 and it has changed hands six times since then and we still keep boasting about our solitary victory. Australia has won the world cup four times India once and England once done and dusted and harrdly talk about it.

Fan may be? Sunday, 18 June 2023 10:47 AM

1st and most importantly 96 World cup team 'believed' in doing better in every match. They were a 'Unit' who knew how to play as a team and execute their responsibilities when opportunities were presented. Now a days Srilanka seem to be politicial. "My daughter/son, U know machan" sometimes seem to be the way in to selection. Thus, created the current generation of cricketers who think no end of themselves at the smallest of achievements

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Sri Lanka can emulate 1996 World Cup winning team, says Maheesh Theekshana

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