Can Sri Lanka repeat 1996 win?
Having stunned everyone by winning the World Cup in 1996, it is hardly surprising that Sri Lanka have struggled slightly over the past couple of years but they have had their sights set on the World Cup for a long time, which makes them a dangerous floate
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Best performance: Winners 1996
2003: Semi-finals
Price: 13/2
Having stunned everyone by winning the World Cup in 1996, it is hardly surprising that Sri Lanka have struggled slightly over the past couple of years but they have had their sights set on the World Cup for a long time, which makes them a dangerous floater.
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With 13 victories in their past 20 matches, things have been coming together for Tom Moody's side and the Australian coach seems to have got his side playing well at the right time.
They certainly have the experience. The likes of Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Muttiah Muralitharan have been around for years and there is little they don't know about the one-day game.
After a horrible run, Jayasuriya appears to have found his game again while they have plenty of strength in depth in their batting, and in Murali and Chaminda Vaas, they are a decent bowling outfit.
They should cruise through their group with India - barring an upset against Bangladesh - and from then on, it's all about consistency married to a couple of big-match performances. They are capable of beating anyone on their day. It just depends how many days they have.
Player to watch:Kumar Sangakkara
Sangakkara averages just 36 in one-day cricket but in the past year he has really hit form, averaging 51 in his past 20 matches, an imposing mark.
Not as flamboyant as the likes of Jayasuriya, he is a classy batsman and tends to hold things together when the others fail. His reliability will be a big factor in their success, or otherwise.
Prediction:
Super Eight
Like Pakistan, they have bundles of talent but their consistency is in doubt so they may just fall short of the semi-finals.
Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.
Simon Cambers is Cricinfo's betting correspondent
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