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| Saturday, 04 September 2004 |
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ICC Champions Trophy: Sri Lankans leave confident of winning by Elmo Rodrigopulle The Sri Lankan cricketers who are on top of the world after their bashing of the South Africans in the Tests as well as the One-Dayers, fly out early Sunday morning, confident that they could add the ICC Champions Trophy to their now filling up shelves of trophies. What is obvious in the Lankan team, is that they have now begun to believe that they are second to none. Believing in one's self is what is required for success. If the Lankans can carry this belief and perform the way they have been doing, then there is no reason why they should not leave the ICC Champions Trophy tournament with their heads held high. 'The cricketers are very confident and are waiting to take the field and show that their victories against the South Africans were no flukes. They have got their act together and are playing at their peak. 'Now that they are playing to potential, they will give their all to bring home the trophy. They are determined to continue the winning sequence and know they can upset all odds,' said Manager Ajith Jayasekera who also said that every member is fit and well and raring' to go. 'There is a bit of worry regarding Tilakeratne Dilshan. But the management is sure he will be ready to take the field against Zimbabwe at the London Oval on September 14. The Lankans are aware that they must win both games against Zimbabwe and England to get into the semi-finals. One loss will see them out, because only the winners of the groups play in the semis. The Lankans also have pride to guard. When this tournament was held in Sri Lanka in 2002, they shared the honours with India with rain proving a spoiler. They were confident that had not rain interfered, they would have been hugging the trophy. On form Zimbabwe would and will not be much of opposition. But cricket, is a funny game, which has proved more often that not, that the underdogs could upset. The Lankans realise this and will not be taking any chances against the now disjointed Zimbabweans. They face the test when they come up against tournament favourites England who will have the added advantage of playing in conditions very friendly to them. Man to man there is no difference between the two teams. Ultimately it will be the team that plays the better cricket on the day that will triumph. It is every cricket fans wish that they will continue the good work that they began by beating India in the Asia Cup and carrying forward that form against the South Africans. The Lankans play two acclimatising games in Shenley on September 8 and 10 before moving on to the scene of battle. |
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