The Sri Lankan domestic Twenty champions, Wayamba Elevens are tipped to be the surprise package in the second edition of the Airtel Champions League. One of the low-profile teams heading into the mega-event, Wayamba boast of as many as 11 players with international caps in their 15-man squad. They made their exit in the first round of the of the inaugural event last year but the biggest name in their line-up, Mahela Jayawardene, feels that experience will help Wayamba http://www.espnstar.com/cricket/cl-t20/news/detail/item495911/Wayamba,-the-bubbly-Islanders-/
Wayamba played both their matches in 2009 on a difficult Feroz Shah Kotla pitch, losing to Delhi Daredevils and beating one of the favourites, Victoria, before bowing out of the first round on net run-rate. Winners of their domestic event for the second time running, the Jehan Muabarak-led outfit is sure on a high. If they can string up a similar performance in the event starting September 10, they are sure to give the big names a run for their money. Wayamba will be battling it out with Warriors, Victoria, Central Districts and Chennai Super Kings in Group A.
Strengths
With big names like Jayawardene, Mubarak, Thisara Perera, Ajantha Mendis and Rangana Herath comprising the squad, Wayamba are surely no pushovers. They marched to the domestic title without much hullaballoo, winning most of the games by big margins. The opening pair of Jayawardene and Jevantha Kulatunga, who was the Player of the Tournament, were instrumental in their teams success. The team also draws its strength from the pace and spin attack that compliment each other. If Farveez Maharoof, Perera, Isuru Udana and Chanaka Welegedara are not enough then Herath, Mendis are ready to unsettle the opposition batsmen. If just their batting could click at the right moments, Wayamba are the team to watch out for.
Weaknesses
Except from a few fifties from Jayawardene, Wayamba's batting was a no-show in the inaugural edition and could once again falter on pacy South African wickets. Lanka are said to be poor travellers and the same can be true for Wayamba as well. Clubbed with big guns from South Africa, Australia, India and New Zealand, the Lankan-unit will be under tremendous pressure from the word go.
Key performers
Led by the 29-year-old left-handed batsman Jehan Mubarak, Wayamba heavily bank on the experience of Jayawardene. After being their only performer in 2009, Jayawardene has managed to score 293 runs in six domestic matches at a strike-rate of 168.39 as an opener. Maharoof seems to be the perfect all-rounder in the side. The 25-year-old bowling all-rounder has picked 45 wickets in 44 domestic games and also comes in handy with the bat at No.6 or 7. The bowling resembles a modern-day Lankan attack with Perera, Chanaka Welagedara, Udana, Maharoof, Mendis and Herath holding the front. The 21-year-old Perera and left-arm pacer Udana have been the leading wicket-takers in the Inter Provincial tourney. With 7 wickets each in 9 matches, the duo is a potential threat in African conditions.
Players to watch out for
Apart from the big boys, Wayamba also have a few lesser known players who can prove to be very dangerous. The 36-year-old opener, Kulatunga has the potential to thwart any attack in the competition.
The Dark Horses:
Wayamba are currently on a 13-match unbeaten run in the Sri Lankan Inter-Provincial Twenty20 tournament - spread over two seasons. It's very likely that the team from the island nation makes it to the knockout stages this season with their penchant for destroying oppositions and killer extinct still very much alive looking at their form. They are underrated but high on confidence, they are unknown that is why they are dangerous, they are competitive because they are brave and will give a headache or two to all the opposition teams.
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