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by Sa'adi Thawfeeq

The air of confidence with which the Sri Lankan cricketers walked into the Garnet Room of Hotel Taj Samudra yesterday gave one the indication that all is well within their ranks.

It was not long before the media started firing the questions at them that the long awaited answer came from the captain himself. Sanath Jayasuriya admitted that he was more or less certain to be fit to lead Sri Lanka in the ICC Champions trophy tournament.

That was the most encouraging bit of news to come out of the Sri Lankan camp as they prepared for their lung-opener against Pakistan at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Thursday.

Jayasuriya has been fighting against time to be fit for the all-important event which the ICC is hosting in Sri Lanka, after dislocating his right arm in the Morocco Cup final three weeks ago. The manner in which he has recovered has amazed team physio Alex Kountouri who had only admiration for the guts and determination displayed by the Sri Lankan captain.

Jayasuriya still feels the pain after a net session. At least he is happy that he can bat with some confidence and display his repertoire of strokes without flinching. But the injury is still sore and after a batting session against the extreme pace which the Sri Lankan bowlers can offer, it needs to have ice packs on it.

The Morocco win has to some extent restored the confidence of the Sri Lankans who were despondent following the beating in England.

"We have been slowly gaining momentum since the tour of England. The victories against Bangladesh wasn't any surprise to anyone, but everyone was looking very closely at us in Morocco because the opposition represented a real test," said coach Dav Whatmore.

Sri Lanka beat South Africa in three out of three matches (including the final) and Pakistan once to win the Cup.

"The lads came through extremely well with their performances. The next one (the Champions trophy) is a vital competition but the very nature of it makes it a little bit harder. We think we are up for it," said Whatmore.

Pakistan, he said cannot be underestimated. "On any given day you never know the sort of cricket they can come up with. We've seen evidence of that many times in the past".

"They can play ordinary cricket and all of a sudden on their day they can really turn it on. The last time they did to us for in the final in Sharjah. They are a very tough machine when they get going," said Whatmore. "We are keen to play any opposition anywhere in Sri Lanka and we need to put our best foot forward in the first match. You can never underestimate any team particularly in a one off match where if you lose you are out," he said.

One of the key players in Sri Lanka's success in Morocco was Aravinda de Silva whose return to the one-day side has given the batting a look of solidity that had been lacking.

"Any team that can boast of a player who has amassed close to 9,000 one-day runs is an asset to have in the side," said Whatmore. "In Aravinda's case it's no different. He's been terrific in assisting individuals in his own way. The very fact that you have a guy who has played that much matches and got experience in the side, adds to that area which is difficult to measure the atmosphere in the dressing room and at team meetings. It is a little bit more calmer when you've got experience in the team. We are fortunate to have a player like that," he said.

De Silva took two man-of-the match awards with sterling batting displays and will be the player Sri Lanka will look to play the pivotal role in the Champions trophy.

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