Aussies favourites, India dark horses

Sri Lanka

Would not be an overstatement to assert that Sri Lanka is by far the best fielding side in Asia. But that attribute may not be sufficient to help them climb the honeysuckle. Apart from Muttiah Muralitharan the bowling looks one-dimensional.

Chaminda Vaas has had a long layoff. Farveez Maharoof, Dilhara Fernando and pocket-dynamo Lasith Malinga appeared shorn of ideas in the recent series against India.

The Caribbean wickets are more likely to suit slow bowlers, Sanath Jayasuriya and Tillakaratne Dilshan, who can take the pace from the ball and make it hold its line.

Mahela Jayawardene has the most dependable lieutenant in Kumar Sangakara. Both his and Jayasuriya’s form will be central to Sri Lanka’s roadway to the semi-finals.

However, their top-order that could be perched with the best in the world has tumbled way too often for comfort. Chamara Silva has flourished like a rainbow in the cloud. Jayawardene has to do an Arvinda De Silva. Tillakaratne Dilshan and Russel Arnold have staged rescue acts but haven’t steered the side past the finish line. Does not bode well when it comes to taking on the Goliaths.

If the nucleus of the side fires on all cylinders, Sri Lanka has an outside chance of getting into the top four.