The road to Barbados

Sri Lanka have come tantalisingly close to another World Cup triumph. Eleven years ago on March 17, 1996, the Sri Lankan Lions lifted the coveted ICC Cricket World Cup in Lahore, Pakistan, beating firm favourites Australia. The result practically turned world cricket on its head and catapulted Sri Lanka to the league of frontline cricketing nations. Sri Lanka was the third Asian team to become world Champions, the others being India (1983) and Pakistan (1992).

Australia have gone on to win the championship twice (1999 and 2003) and is featuring in this year's final as well after their easy win over the Proteas in a low scoring match. It is widely acknowledged that Sri Lanka is the one team that can beat the Aussies at their own game.

An Australia-Sri Lanka final is every cricket fan's dream come true and virtually the entire Lankan population will be glued to TV sets until the wee hours of Sunday to know the outcome.

Sri Lanka's journey to the cusp of victory in the Caribbean has seen several heart-stopping moments. The Super Eight matches against England and South Africa are particularly memorable. In the case of England, Sri Lanka scored a last-gasp victory.

The tension in the air was palpable before Dilhara Fernando bowled his amazing delivery to claim R. Bophara's wicket. Unfortunately for Sri Lanka, the reverse happened in the South Africa game.

Sri Lanka's Super Eights game against Australia will also be remembered, but for different reasons.

With both teams already having qualified for the semis, the match was only of statistical and academic interest. But Sri Lanka's controversial move to rest key players sparked a debate throughout the cricketing world. While many argued that key players should be in prime condition for the final showdown, others insist that all the top players should have played in the match against the formidable Aussies.

The semi-final against New Zealand was a showpiece for Lanka's prowess in the field. Mahela Jayewardena's sparkling century changed the outlook of the game and spin wizard Mutthaiah Muralitharan and Lasith Malinga did the rest, with a bit of help from Sanath Jayasuriya and T. Dilshan.

Now Sri Lanka has got yet another chance to prove they are the best, despite the Aussies' relentless chant that they are unstoppable. True, Australia did win every game in the tournament but it does not mean they are invincible. They will meet their match in Barbados today and we wish the Lankan team all the best for a magnificent victory.

A well-known sports personality once said "winning isn't everything, it's the only thing". That could well be the Sri Lankan team's mantra as they prepare to get their hands on the ultimate prize in world cricket. In the end, only one side will win the game due to a combination of factors - luck of the toss, pitch conditions, excellence in batting, bowling and fielding and the sheer determination to succeed. That is the glorious uncertainty of cricket. You win some, you lose some. What matters in the end is how you played the game. The better team wins on a given day.

Indeed, this World Cup will live in our memories thanks to the efforts of so-called 'minnows' who taught a thing or two the established powers.

First-timers Ireland and rank outsiders Bangladesh gatecrashed the World Cup party of Pakistan and India respectively, sending them tumbling out of the Cup in the first round itself.

Ireland also tied with Zimbabwe and beat Bangladesh to enter ICC one-day rankings at the 10th place, a very creditable achievement.

We must remember that Sri Lanka too were once considered minnows. Today they are giants and a second World Cup victory is within sight. Whoever wins, the ultimate winners are cricket and its fans. The game will develop globally, buoyed by the entry of diverse teams. At least the second-tier teams of the Test nations should tour emerging cricketing nations to gradually bring them into the fold. That will make cricket a truly international sport.