What can you say about this mercurial team? From? minnows from the first two editions to the Champions in 1996 this team has come a long way. Semi-Finalists in 2003 and Finalists in 2007, Sri Lanka will like to repeat the 1996 euphoria all over again. However this time Sri Lanka will be without the services of Sanath Jayasuriya and Chaminda Vaas but they still have the arsenal to go all the way in the tournament.
Captained by Kumar Sangakkara , Sri Lanka have got in a strong leader with a good head on his shoulders. ?Players like TilarRatne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga form a formidable opening pair for the Lankans. ??Middle order will be look around by neat and steady players like Mahela Jayawardene, Chamara Kapugadera and Thilan Samarveera.
Sri Lanka also has a strong spin department with the likes of Muralidharan who has more than 500 wickets under his kitty and players like Ajanta Mendis and Rangana Herath who with their spinning variations can bamboozle even the best in the business. There style of bowling will be most effective in lower and slower Sub-Continental wickets.
Fast bowling department will be headed by Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekra and Dilhara Fernando with support from fast bowling all-rounders like Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera who can also be very useful with the willow especially when hitting the balls across or over the fence. Sri Lanka has a top class fielding unit to back up their high-quality bowling. So Sri Lanka, who will be playing most of the matches in front of their home fans, is a team to watch out for in this year?s world cup