Sri Lanka's chance to dish out humble pie

Phew! Sri Lanka made it, booking their place in the semi-finals with a clinical performance against Zimbabwe. Yes, Sanath Jayasuriya's men needed India's assistance; and, perhaps, some might gripe that a place in the final four is undeserved but, sorry, who cares? They are through and now face Australia in a do or die clash on Tuesday.

In fact, Sri Lanka are more deserving than those now flying out of Southern Africa. Yes, Australia and India are streets ahead on current form, particularly in the bowling department, but Sri Lanka could justifiable lay claim to being the best of the rest...although the refreshingly exuberant Kenyans might disagree.

True, the performances against Australia and India in the Super Sixes were atrocious, even unacceptable. But let's cut the team some flak and provide perspective: two months ago everyone was predicting a first round exit. Moreover, this tournament is being played in the southern hemisphere not Colombo, on quick and bouncy pitches not Premadasa dust pits. Sri Lanka outplayed New Zealand, West Indies and South Africa in alien conditions.

Ever since the India rout, Sri Lankan mobile phone users have received a stream of text messages bemoaning the team's apparent failure. "Free and Easy" had taken over the team sponsorship according to one. Mahela Jayawardene's wretched form has also been the source of mirth: "Can I speak to Mahela" asks the caller. "He's gone out to bat machang," replies Dav. "Ok, I'll hang on then," is the dry response.

One Daily Mirror columnist described Sri Lanka's World Cup campaign as a "debacle". The former captain turned TV pundit launched into tirades against administrators and insinuated that it wouldn't have happened in his day. This writer suggested the performance against India to be "shameful."

Well, the tournament has not finished yet. Final judgment cannot be passed. The players and management feel that they have been written off and unfairly criticised. Now they have an opportunity to prove the pundits are talking tripe. Let's hope the players are able to put up two fingers and make us all eat humble pie.

The chances of lifting the trophy obviously remain slim. There is no doubt that both India and Australia possess stronger all-round units. They bat and bowl far deeper. But the spin friendly surface at Port Elizabeth is the source of comfort. It is the perfect place to play Ricky Ponting's side and Sri Lanka still have the ICC Champions Trophy fresh in their minds.

Moreover, the pressure is now off. Already expectations have been exceeded. They have sneaked through and can now revel in the underdog tag. They have the opportunity to play fearless cricket and that makes Sri Lanka a very dangerous proposition.

They will need some luck along the way. And it will certainly help to win the toss - this time Sri Lanka will bat first! But the most important battle will be up front: Lee and McGrath versus Jayasuriya and Atapattu. The winner of that contest will most probably win the game.

Fortunately, for Sri Lanka, there is also hope that middle order might also contribute: Avishka Gunawardene fully justified his inclusion against Zimbabwe and Kumar Sangakkara started to play with the freedom that makes him such a dangerous player. Aravinda de Silva, of course, will be lurking there too, no doubt plotting a fitting finale to a glorious career.

If Sri Lanka do bat first and post a reasonable score then the bowling responsibility will fall heavily on the shoulders of the spinners. Pulasthi can bowl three overs and pick up his paycheck - expect de Silva to be rolling over his arm before the tenth over. But Dilhara Fernando likes playing the Aussies and he could also figure.

Whatever happens, let's hope for a proper contest: a real fight worthy of a World Cup semi-final. If Sri Lanka are to be defeated let it be with guns blazing. The nation may be fickle but it wants to be proud of their cricketers: the ball is in the players' court.