By M D P DISSANAYAKE

Sri Lanka has produced a well balanced squad to face the world cup cricket to be held in the sub-continent.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela JayawardeneƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s combination is very similar to Arjuna Ranatunga and Aravinda De SilvaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s mixture in the 1996 world cup.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

Heavy burden rest on Dilshan who has not performed at his best during recent matches.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  His impatience ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ has cost his wicket on many occasions.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Sri Lanka relies heavily on Dilshan and Upul, to lift the team to the same standards as that of Sanath and Romesh. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Dilshan is one of most feared batsmen in the circuit, if he remains unbeaten for 10 to 15 overs, we will be looking at a massive batting tally for Sri Lanka. .ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Upul TarangaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢sƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  top order performance in the recently concluded matches has further generated very high expectations

Our bowlers are the most dangerous compared with many other international teams.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  We have the mixture of three MƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s, Murali, MendisƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  and MalingaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  that will provide variety at different stages during a match. Nuwan Kulasekera is superb with his line and length and usually gives the opening break for Sri Lanka. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Dilhara, though erratic at times, is steady, fast and plays absorbing cricket.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Tissara Perera will be the key man to watch,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  he has come up the ranks within relatively ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ a short period of time.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  His all-round capabilities is an added advantage to the Captain, with Angelo MathewsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  with the same skills. Thilanga Samaraweera should be able to steady the middle order, with vast experience under his belt and his dedication and commitment to the game need to remain unbeaten to the end to guide the relatively inexperienced but explosive middle-low order batsmen.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Ajantha Mendis has improved his batting skills immensely and ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ this team will over-all provide superb surprises and high-class entertainmentƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  to the spectators.

There is no doubt in my mind that Sri Lanka will go the distance and lift the Cup for the second time.

Our best wishes for the Sri Lankan team.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Jayawewa.