Lanka will be competitive under any condition - Whatmore

Coach Dav Whatmore said in time to come Sri Lanka will able to be competitive not just at home, but competitive on any conditions they come across.

Whatmore assessing his team's future from now onwards said the present side had the same hunger for success which was evident when they won the World Cup five years ago.

"The signs are definitely there. To me the real desire to win on most occasions is quite evident, and they are fighters. I just feel that it's very hard to compare. Of course the experience was far greater in 1995/96, but we are gaining experience with every series we play," said Whatmore after Sri Lanka had drawn the three-test series 1-all (1 drawn) with South Africa.

"The plus point with this group is their ability to take pressure on the field which is far greater. Because they are younger they haven't got the experience," said Whatmore, who had a big hand in shaping the team to win the most prestigious one-day title - the World Cup in 1996.

"I think this team in another short period of time will be a very aggressive, athletic strong side, backed up with a lot of skill and ability. There'll be some frustrating moments, no question about that, because a guy like Russel Arnold who has played in about 20 Tests apart is now starting to play consistently," said Whatmore.

"(Kumar) Sangakkara shows tremendous potential, and Mahela Jayewardene is another. The future looks pretty good. I think it will be a good aggressive team based on athleticism," he said.

Sri Lanka's 'find' of the twin series against Pakistan and South Africa was the emergence of Sangakkara as a batsman cum wicket-keeper. The 22-year-old from the hill capital appeared from nowhere to oust established wicket-keeper Romesh Kaluwitharana and his likely successor Prasanna Jayawardene and hold his place in the Singer Triangular Series and the three Tests against South Africa.

"These sort of things happen from time to time. It looks as though it's very unfair. I recall the same thing happened in 1995, when Kaluwitharana was preferred to Chamara Dunusinghe. I remember he was badly dealt with, but it paid off ," said Whatmore.

"At the moment Sangakkara, has kept his nose in front of the other two - Jayewardene and Kaluwitharana. I thought Sangakkara did a very serviceable job, particularly in the one-dayers where he showed he's got the ability, the temperament and desire. He didn't have too much practice against (Muthiah) Muralitharan, but hats off to young Kumar, he had this desire to do well. He applies himself, It was a very tough job and I thought he was reading the spin of Murali fairly well. He's a wonderful shining light that will need to develop and handled correctly because he is an asset," he said.

Whatmore said that conditions in the subcontinent did not provide many options for fast bowlers as they do when they are overseas.

"That is one area limiting the fast bowlers, there is no question about that. Sri Lanka cricket will be better served if these young fast bowlers can get the necessary experience by playing sometough games in the 'A' team. Playing in the home country is sometimes limiting the amount of experience you can provide for young fast bowlers," said Whatmore.

"We have got some good strong pace bowlers. In the last three months we have seen the emergence of Dilhara Fernando, who I think has got tremendous potential and pace. He is quite quick and just needs to tighten up his direction and length. I think he could be a huge asset.

"Then we also brought back Ruchira Perera, a year and a half after injury and, he is sort of a lively, bouncy left-arm fast bowler whohas the abiltiy to move the ball. They provide the back up to (Chaminda) Vaas and (Nuwan) Zoysa. There is also (Pramodya) Wickremasinghe, who suffered an injury with his neck. He should provide some good experience and back up and hopefully, some help to these youngsters in Sri Lanka and on tour.

That gives you the depth. I think Wicky's still got something to offer. He is one of five who is right up there at the moment," said Whatmore. The Sri Lanka-born Australian coach noted that skipper Sanath Jayasuriya was improving with every game.

"He's had some wonderful personal peformances on the field. He continues to get the right decisions more or less. And with every game that comes and goes he gets better," said Whatmore.

"Arjuna (Ranatunga) made that comment as well. He said that Sri Lanka cricket is going along the right path which makes him happy. That's a good thing to hear because he's had so much experience, on both occasions, when Sri Lanka were struggling and when they had some success. (Marvan) Atapattu compliments Sanath very well. H e is a sort of down to earth guy. He is cool under pressure and he is able to provide assistance," Whatmore said shortly before leaving for Australia to take a short break away from cricket.

Sri Lanka don't have any international engagements till October when they are scheduled to play in a three-nation one-day tournament in Sharjah (which also features India and Zimbabwe) and in the one-day knockout mini-World Cup in Kenya.