One wrong move and its over, warns Jayasuriya

Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya will urge his players to be on guard against complacency before their fourth Pool B match against Kenya in Nairobi on Monday, warning that one false step could shatter their World Cup dreams.

Despite easy wins against Bangladesh and Canada, Jayasuriya will make it clear that it is essential to claim maximum points in their final low-key game.

Moreover, the skipper will stress the need to further enhance an already impressive net run rate (NRR), a potential buffer against failure in their final group matches.

"One wrong move and the World Cup could be over for us," Jayasuriya told AFP news agency before the team's flight to Nairobi.

"The situation in our group is such that we need to win well and improve our net run rate," added Jayasuriya.

"With four teams in the fray, it could boil down to who has a better run-rate. We were aware of that when we went into the game against Canada."

In fact, barring a shock loss against the Kenyans, who will now be eying a place in the Super Sixes having claimed four points against New Zealand, Sri Lanka's progression to the second round appears assured.

Their massive 3.17 net run rate is the best in the tournament and far greater than the other Pool B contenders, providing a safe cushion should any banana skins lie ahead.

Two months ago Jayasuriya might have jumped at a second or third place spot in Pool B but expectations have risen so much that he's now eyeing a clean sweep.

"We want the top the group and take forward as many points into the Super Six," he said. "Which means it is important to beat both the West Indies and South Africa.

"We should not be concerned at what is happening to other teams. The aim is to win all our games."

Jayasuriya - one of the key reasons behind Sri Lanka's unexpected New Year resurgence having smashing three hundreds and two fifties in his last seven innings - maintains that his side are now comfortable playing in previously alien conditions.

"Playing in these conditions for three months, both here and in Australia, we have got used to them and know what to expect.

"Everyone in the side knows the conditions. That's a big help and that's why we are playing such good cricket.

"The entire team is focused on the job at hand. We help each other out both on and off the field. The batsmen and bowlers have stuck to the task, that's why we have been able to make a winning start."