Sri Lankan team depart for South Africa

The Sri Lankan national cricket team left for South Africa today. They left in high spirits with the captain, Sanath Jayasuriya, pointing out that Sri Lankan cricket will never be the same again if they beat South Africa.

"If we beat South Africa or even draw the series, it will make a big difference to Sri Lankan cricket. The outlook of Sri Lanka will undergo a big change." He went on to say that: "the players are really geared up to take on South and they are focused on it. We are very confident at the moment."

Nevertheless the team was under no illusions as to the enormity of the task ahead. In the last few days the coach and captain have repeatedly referred to the fine record of South Africa at home, their aggressive approach and the different conditions that await them.

Dav Whatmore believed that the key to success would be, "the speed with which the players can adapt to the extra bounce and pace of the South African pitches."

The vice-captain and premier batsman, Marvan Attapattu, played down suggestions that his technical prowess will ensure him personal success: "My technique will help me but at the end of the day it will not score my runs for me. We need to really apply ourselves mentally to the task."

The media, board officials, family members and well wishers all congregated at the board headquarters in Colombo to bid farewell to the cricketers who will now be on the road for ten weeks. They will travel straight to New Zealand for a one-day series before returning to Sri Lanka in Feburary.

Considering the long period away the BCCSL has allowed family to join the tour over the festive period. The move has pleased the players who are not normally allowed to tour with their loved ones.

The team will be taking with them a rather unusual gift. As a token of goodwill the BCCSL has associated itself to the Sri Lanka Eye Donation Society and will donate two corneas to South Africa.