3 done 8 to go

[maverick]

On March the 23rd Sri Lanka achieved a fighting win over the Indians. The hightlight for me was that they didn't let their heads to fall at any given point of time. The pitch conditions and early wickets went against them at the start. They, however, always were aware of the 'next best thing' to do. They revised their target scores and made sure that they don't fall apart below 200. When they eventually reached 200, they were on their way to 230. Again with a couple of good overs at the end Lankans crossed 250 at ease.

It was the ideal wicket to bat for Indians. It took a bit more time to get the first wicket than I expected. I thought that was due to the flat nature of the wicket. Sri Lankans did nothing mirraculous to tackle them. They just kept bowling to the weak points of the Indians. They were rewarded regularly.

India is the most difficult opposition to handle as far as the SL believe. With proper planning and execution they could easily (they should actually) win 11 out of 11. That is very practical to me. And that is what is going to happen in my personal view!

[acker]

Malinga and Tait amazing how 2 low arm action slingshot high speed bowlers hit world cricket at about the same time.

[Nostromo]

Yes, I am very impressed with the very professional way that Sri Lanka are going about this World Cup. They players, even the older ones, somehow look more mature and determined this time around than in the previous tournaments. SL were always talented but in the past, including in 2003, there was an element of unnecessary cockiness about some of the players, notably Jayasuriya and Sangakkara. Whether due to Moody's coaching or Jayawardane's captaincy, all that has now gone in place of steely professionalism and gritty performances. I think Sri Lanka are in with more than a shout for the title.

[pie_chucker]

The Sri Lankans are a very professional unit, for this a lot of credit must go to their coach Tom Moody. The players have kept their individual flair but play as a team and now have a bit of the Aussie "never give up" attitude.

They must be now considered one of the favorites for the tournament.

[Navdeep]

For me, at this current time then and New Zealand have to be the best balanced sides around.

Yes the Aussies have the batting strength, but their bowlers are average at best at times, vs a good batting line up.

NZ and Sri Lanka have 5-6 good batsmen, good couple of all rounders and a mixed bowling attack, a pace man, world class spinner and some good back up ones, one of these has to win it for me, unless they crumble under the pressure, but after convincingly seeing off the Indians, Sri Lanka have to be fancied by many now.

[vvvrulz]

Agreed, these Lankan's are going about their business with the perfect mindset. They are there to win, they know they are good enough on paper, and through sheer will and determination theyve outdone their major opponents to date. Basically its between them, NZ, Aussie and South Africa. They are the four teams with the most grit and hunger about them.

[Nostromo]

The final hurdle is upon Sri Lanka and I think they can win this one. But IMO, a fourth pace option for SL could make a big difference on the Kensington Oval pitch, especially if Australia are batting first. I know that the Oz batsmen are good at handling pace, but there is the risk that they might take too many runs off Sri Lanka's 5th bowling combo - usally Jayasuriya, Dilshan and Arnold. Moreover, Jayawardene will be forced to use his 3 pacemen with an end-bias ie give them proportionately more overs in the first 15 and last 10 overs, leaving the middle part largely to the spinners. Of course, that might work - and has worked well with SL and other teams so far - but the question is, will it work against the poweful Aussie batting in Barbados?

I think it might be worth considering bringing in Maharoof in Arnold's place and keep Fernando also. That will strengthen the bowling - Vaas, Fernando, Malinga, Maharoof and Murali with Jayasuriya & Dilshan still available if required. That sort of an attack should be capable of causing problems to any batting line-up, even the Aussies. Moreover, Jayawardene can then rotate is 4 pace bowlers and Murali more effectively and with greater flexibility depending on the situation. It does theoretically weaken the batting slightly in that Maharoof at no:7 might not be as effective as Arnold especially if chasing with the tailenders, but it might be risk worth taking.