Sri Lanka Preview

The defending champions will have a tough task defending their title on English soil, but their experienced team will be hard to beat. Their spin attack and thrilling attacking batting proved effective in sub-continental conditions, and in England in late 1998, but different techniques are likely to prove important in May and June.

Much will depend on the ability of the batsmen to adapt to the seaming and swinging ball, and that of the seam attack to exploit favourable conditions. the side has been in somewhat of an eclipse recently, failing to reach the final of the extended Carlton and United series in Australia.

They are masters of the one-day game, with the most able captain in the competition. Jayasuriya and Muralitharan are returning from injury but are both capable of transforming games, and de Silva is a batsman of the highest class, with experience of English conditions. 21 year old Jayawardene has been a successful addition to the squad.

Sri Lanka take on England in the first game of the tournament, and may rise to the occasion. In a strong group they will have to play well to qualify for the "Super 6", with their ability to adapt to prevailing conditions the deciding factor. Once in the Super 6, they have the potential to beat anyone, and a repeat of 1996 cannot be ruled out.

Statistics

• Team World Cup Records
• Team One-Day International Records
• Sri Lankan Statistics