This is an encounter that the Lankans must win if they are to front up to the South Africans in the final at Newlands in Cape Town next Wednesday. The Proteas who beat Pakistan convincingly on Friday booked their berth in the final. If the Lankans lose it will be the end of the road as far as this tournament is concerned.
When the Lankans lost the first three games due to some poor cricket, not many gavve them a chance of having a fling in the final. But all credit to Generalissimo Ranatunga and his troops for fighting back magnificently and coming to the front.
Now that they are in the frontline they must continue the roll and although the South Africans will have the advantage what with playing on a wicket they know well and vociferous home supporters, the Lankans can nullify all this if they can perform true to ability, as they showed by coming from behind.
When the Lankans surrendered the first three games, only a cricketing miracle could have brought them into the radar from which they disappeared when they lost their way with some irresponsible play. They are now poised to make that cricketing miracle a reality. What they need to do is to believe in themselves and play with pride as they are the world champions in this style of game.
And to show them how and leading by example and from the front will be Captain cool Arjuna Ranatunga whose leadership and batting has gone a long way in helping his side to come out of the woods. Ranatunga has been at the receiving end of three bad decisions on the tour. But he has put these poor decisions behind and is ow striking at his best. He has good scores in the two previous games and another good score is in the offing. Captaincywise he has been the better leader.
While the attack has been his big headache, he is also worried of the poor form of the reliable Aravinda de Silva in the two previous games. But de Silva has the temperament for the big occasion and the skipper is convinced that his lieutenant will fire tomorrow.
As for Jayasuriya, Kaluwitharana, Mahanama and Dharmasena, getting into the 30s and 40s is not enough. They must turn them into big ones. Atapattu is at his peak and his technique and exquisite strokeplay has been the talking point here and he must continue his good run.
Of the bowlers it has been 'spider' Muralidaran who has been the tormentor. He has bowled ungrudgingly and successfully and he will once again tease and lure the South African batsmen. Vaas who has continued to aggravate his ankle injury has bowled great heartedly and if not for his willingness to continue even suffering pain, the Lankan attack will be nothing worth talking about.
Kaluwitharana has now regained his confidence after being promoted to his rightful batting slot. But what is unbelievable has been his tremendous work with the gloves. A good wicket keeper helps to raise the standard of fielding. And he has been able to inspire and motivate the fielders with his sure catching and lightning fast stumping. His improvement has been a revelation.
As for the South Africans it must be said that while their fielding is first rate, with Jonty Rhodes the most brilliant fielder in the world today showing the way, the same cannot be said about their batting and bowling. They have slotted in Allan Donald to strengthen the bowling, while their batting has revolved around Rindle, Kirsten, Cullinan, Cronje and Kallis. If the Sri Lankans can exert pressure on them early, they can be lured to their destruction.
It is a make or break game for the Lankans and if they keep their cool and play the cricket that the occasion demand, then there is no reason why they should not be in the final.