Last chance saloon for Sri Lanka and South Africa

A possible first round exit for tournament hosts South Africa was hardly anticipated before the World Cup but that will be their fate if they lose to Sri Lanka under lights at Durban on Monday.

Shaun Pollock's side, keen to become the first hosting nation to be crowned world champions, suffered unexpected defeats against West Indies in the tournament curtain raiser and then to New Zealand.

Sri Lanka - barring the success of an appeal lodged on Sunday over the ICC's interpretation of the ambiguous playing conditions - also face elimination from the tournament if they lose despite wins against New Zealand and West Indies.

If South Africa beat Sri Lanka then four teams will be level on 16 points - Kenya, SA, Sri Lanka and New Zealand. Kenya and South Africa will automatically qualify having recorded more wins against the tied teams.

According the interpretation of the playing conditions by the tournament's technical committee, Sri Lanka and New Zealand will then be separated by their net run rates.

Sri Lanka contested this on Sunday, forwarding an application to the technical committee that argued that the head-to-head criteria should be applied first and that they should qualify having defeated New Zealand. This was dismissed, although the Sri Lanka cricket board has now filed an appeal with a final judgment expected Sunday night.

Sri Lanka's concern that the net run rate criteria appears to have two roots: they fear South Africa after a 4-1 walloping last November and realise that the Black Caps have an excellent chance to improve their net run rate against Canada.

Certainly, on the evidence of recent matches between the two sides, nine out of last 11 of which have been won by South Africa, the hosts should be clear favourites. However, the Proteas have been unconvincing thus far in the tournament.

There has been talk of dressing room divisions and the poor form of key players, Jacques Kallis and Alan Donald, has been a major concern.

However, skipper Shaun Pollock is confident they can put all that behind them: "There are going to be times at the World Cup when it comes down to crunch games, and this is the most important one for us so far. If you're going to win the World Cup, you've got to win the crunch games - that's what it's all about."

South Africa look set to recall all-rounder Lance Klusener, who was rested for their last game against Canada, and must also decide whether to include one of their specialist spinners, Nicky Boje or Robin Peterson.

Sri Lanka are expected to name an unchanged side despite concerns over their middle order, particularly that of Mahela Jaywardene who is yet to pass double figures in the tournament.

So far the indifferent performance of the middle order has been patched over by the splendid bowling of Chaminda Vaas, the tournament's leading wicket-taker, and star spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.

Sanath Jayasuriya, on whom the side appears dangerously dependent for runs, believes his side can win: "I think we've got a good chance. The support bowling has been good. We have been able to get the job done."

South Africa (from):

Shaun Pollock (captain), Mark Boucher, Nicky Boje, Boeta Dippenaar, Allan Donald, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Hall, Jacques Kallis, Gary Kirsten, Lance Klusener, Charl Langeveldt, Makhaya Ntini, Robin Peterson, Graeme Smith, Monde Zondeki.

Sri Lanka (from):

Sanath Jayasuriya (captain), Marvan Atapattu, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Aravinda De Silva, Russel Arnold, Jehan Mubarak, Avishka Gunawardena, Hashan Tillakaratne, Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas, Dilhara Fernando, Pulasthi Gunaratne, Prabath Nissanka, Buddhika Fernando.