Sri Lanka hopes to repeat '96 World Cup upset

Jayasuriya is the most-capped one-day cricketer in history, a flamboyant opening batsman whose fearless stroke play can give an innings unstoppable momentum, and a useful spin-bowler as well. Vaas is the master of new-ball bowling who can destroy an opponent's innings almost before they start. Murali is the unorthodox wizard of spin who bamboozles the most gifted, in-form batsmen...

The Sri Lankans must field well, in particular denying Ponting any second chances. Dropping him early in his innings ended South Africa's vestigial hopes in the semifinal. Doing the same in the Ashes test series late last year meant that England, which had looked set to level the contest at 1-1, instead conceded only the second 5-0 whitewash in the rivalry's history...

Sri Lanka also knows it could do all of the above, and still lose. Logic points to an Australian victory. But it also did, and much more compellingly, back in 1996...

Read more,
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/04/27/sports/cricket.php
Photo,
news.bbc.co.uk