Share

Sri Lanka eyes upset in Champions Trophy: Ford

Colombo - Sri Lanka leaves for the Champions Trophy in England Thursday after intense training and with the team hoping for an upset, coach Graham Ford said Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters in Colombo ahead their departure, the South African head coach of middle-ranked Sri Lanka said preparing for the tournament was one of his biggest challenges.

"We have to be realistic and accept that we go into this tournament as underdogs," Ford said. "Sometimes that is a good place to be."

He did declined to identify the main opponents. However, he said Sri Lanka was up against some "fantastic players", but they were in danger of lowering their guard.

"We will just be going one game at a time. It is no point in looking past the next game. In world cricket today, every single match that you play is tough.

"There is some high quality performers in every team. The group we are up against has some fantastic cricketers. We have to be on our best," he added.

He said the Sri Lankans, currently ranked sixth in ODI games, had made progress in recent months thanks to intense training and could return from the tournament "with smiling faces".

Earlier this month, Sri Lanka hired famed South African paceman Allan Donald as a fast bowling consultant ahead of the Champions Trophy starting on June 1.

Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews said the team had been improving and his colleagues were aware that there was no room for "hiccups."

"We will definitely improve day by day and I am sure the boys are up to the challenge," Mathews said. "We don't have time for hiccups in a tournament like this."

The 15-man squad led by Mathews completed a week-long training session on Sunday.

They went through strength and altitude training in the central hill region of Kandy, 500 metres (1,640 feet) above sea level, to prepare for conditions in England

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1473 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2252 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE