This SL team better than 1996 winners: Law

Sri Lanka batting coach Stuart Law, who was part of the Australian XI that lost the 1996 World Cup final to Arjuna Ranatunga's rampant outfit, believes the current side under Kumar Sangakkara "has more pedigree" than the one that shocked the cricketing fraternity 15 years ago

Sri Lanka batting coach Stuart Law, who was part of the Australian XI that lost the 1996 World Cup final to Arjuna Ranatunga's rampant outfit, believes the current side under Kumar Sangakkara "has more pedigree" than the one that shocked the cricketing fraternity 15 years ago.

"The 1996 side had a stronger middle order, a wise captain, a class middle-order player in Aravinda de Silva, and an explosive opening combination. They were young kids who took the world by storm. Honestly, they were unheard of at the world stage, and snuck up a few teams on the way to the title," Law told MiD DAY.

"However, this side has a lot of quality in all aspects. We have the world's leading wicket-taker, two or three of the world's best batsmen, the most devastating limited-overs fast bowler of his era in Lasith Malinga, and some brilliant fielders. Definitely, this team has more pedigree. Without being derogatory to the 1996 team, they should go on to win the World Cup title."

Law, a strong contender to take over as head coach after Trevor Bayliss departs at the end of the tournament, pointed out that the current Sri Lankan side was under more pressure.

"Everyone expects this team to go the distance. I would say this team is more fortunate because in modern day cricket you get provided everything, the team in 1996 had to challenge a lot of perceptions. We are doing our level best to go the distance, don't want to reflect too much on 1996. We want to create our own history," a confident Law added.

Law said that Tillakaratne Dilshan has a big role to play if Sri Lanka were to win the World Cup. "I predict another gem or two from his blade before the World Cup ends."

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