Lanka has the talent to face any challenge

Sri Lanka cricket team will start their World Cup preparations from today. Having arrived in the Caribbean Islands a fortnight ahead of their World Cup campaign, skipper Mahela Jayawardene and his men will face a huge task of getting the team into the winning frame.

Despite losing their last two one day internationals and with it the four-match series to India 1-2, Sri Lanka has the talent to meet any challenge. The team is a rich blend of experience and youth and is bound to make their presence felt.

Though there have been different opinions on team selections, chairman Asantha de Mel and his fellow selectors have done a good job. Be it any sport, selectors do a thankless job but at the end, it’s the critics who would score. It is difficult to satisfy all in picking a final squad for a tournament of this magnitude.

Now it’s up to the 15 lads who have been picked to prove their worth. Though Sri Lanka team has not performed to their true potential, they are a team to watch at the 2007 ICC World Cup.

Veteran Sanath Jayasuriya would undoubtedly make every effort to play in his last World Cup as a true champion. Having won the award for the Most Valuable Player in Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup triumph, Jayasuriya could pose a big headache to any reputed bowler. If Jayasuriya gets into his usual majestic form, then Sri Lanka would have a distinct advantage.

In Kumar Sangakkara and skipper Jayawardene we have two of the most prolific scorers in world cricket today. If their willows start talking, then Sri Lanka could keep their chances alive. The explosive stroke play of this trio could well be combined with the reliable roles of former captain Marvan Atapattu and Russel Arnold.

It would be interesting to see how effective Muttiah Muralitharan would be on Caribbean wickets. With conditions slightly similar to the subcontinent, Muralitharan could hold the key with his magical off breaks. Coupled with the experienced left-arm quick bowling of Chaminda Vaas, Sri Lanka should be able to keep the opposition batsmen tight.

Unlike in the past, defending champions Australia cannot take things for granted. Having suffered a humiliating 0-3 series defeat at the hands of New Zealand, Australia will take every minute of their World Cup campaign seriously.

True that it is not the ideal lead up for a World Cup title defence. But the gallant Australians would take that as a blessing in disguise.

On the other hand it is a good wake up call for the defending champions to fine tune their machines get ready for the big one. Captain Ricky Ponting has expressed his confidence that the Australian team could erase the “bit of negativity” gained during its five-match losing streak and retain the world crown. Ponting has rated Australia to be the outright favourites when the tournament starts on March 13.

Ponting has named Australia as the “hardest team to beat”. His statement is very true. Australia is a team which would not give up lightly. Just because they had one bad patch, it does not mean that they have lost the hunger and will to be a champion team.

But many teams feel Australia’s defeats on the eve of the World Cup would keep the tournament wide open. The three main teams from the subcontinent - India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, all part winners, would try to make the best use of favourable conditions.

Hosts West Indies too would try to capitalize on their home conditions to win their third world cup. Having won the first two tournaments in England in 1975 and 1979, the West Indies have not been able to make a big impact.

Hence, they would be confident that this is their best opportunity to regain lost glory. Before their home supporters under Caribbean music, the West Indies are determined to revolutionise their game.

The 3-0 triumph over Australia has given fresh hopes to New Zealand. Those morale boosting wins would undoubtedly inspire the Kiwis to another giant killing performance at the mega event. If New Zealand could capitalize on the psychologically advantageous position they enjoy at present, then they could produce a champion side this time around.

One thing is for sure. Anything is possible at this year’s World Cup. There would be many examples on the glorious uncertainties of cricket before we know who the new ICC World champions are.