Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka: stunned the world in 1996

Overview

Beaten finalists four years ago, Sri Lanka will be hoping to go one step further and with the benefit of familiar conditions, they are strong candidates to win the tournament.

And who can forget the last time the tournament was played on the sub-continent? Led by Arjuna Ranatunga and with the opening partnership of Sanath Jayasuriya- Romesh Kaluwitharana blazing a trail, Sri Lanka shocked the world.

This time around everyone knows the talent that skipper Kumar Sangakkara has at his disposal. The skipper himself leads a strong batting line-up that will be right at home on the slow, low pitches likely to be used during the tournament.

Similarly, their bowlers should thrive in the conditions. Lasith Malinga gives them strike power while Muttiah Muralitharan will be easy to sign off in style.

Strengths

Muralitharan: a member of the side that won in 1996

Sri Lanka will, undoubtedly, be leaning heavily on their spinners to see them to glory.

Muralitharan was part of the successful squad in 1996 and will hope for a similar outcome in what will be his final swansong as an international cricketer.

However, this is far from a one-man band when it comes to slow-bowling options. As if dealing with Murali wasn't tough enough for opposing teams, they also have to cope with the mystery that is Ajantha Mendis, a right-armer whose unorthodox grip and ability to turn the ball both ways makes him tough to bat against.

With Tillakaratne Dilshan much more than a part-timer himself and Rangana Herath providing back-up in the squad, Sri Lanka have plenty of slow-bowling options.

Weaknesses

Thinking ahead: Sangakkara skippers Sri Lanka

The dependability of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene will provide huge stability for the Sri Lankan top order.

Dilshan has also been in excellent form in recent times (he hit four centuries in 50-over cricket in 2010) and he will be the man tasked with getting the innings off to a fast start considering the evergreen Sanath Jaysuriya was overlooked by the selectors from the final 15-man squad.

However the concern may be the lack of power lower down the order, particularly with the batting powerplays set to be a crucial period during games.

Thilan Samaweera, who is likely to bat five, averages just under 28 in one-day action and then it's into the all-rounders. Sri Lanka's top four, therefore, have to fire.

Six-hitter - Tillakaratne Dilshan

Dilshan: dangerous at the top of the order

After a lean period with the bat Dilshan now looks back to his best and should love the opportunity to cut loose against the new ball.

The right-hander's ability to do the unorthodox - as shown by the now famous 'Dilshan scoop' - makes him a hard man to bowl at, and he has the freedom to be aggressive from the off because of the talent surrounding him at the top of the order.

Strike bowler - Lasith Malinga

Malinga: strike option

Muralitharan and Mendis will pick up wickets in the middle overs but Sangakkara will always look to Malinga as the bowler who can make a key breakthrough.

Discovered while playing beach cricket 'Slinger' Malinga has mastered the art of death bowling and caught out many a top batsman with his toe-breaking yorkers and canny slower-ball bouncers.

One to watch...Angelo Mathews

Mathews: all-round excellence

Neither a big hitter with the bat or a serious threat with the ball, Mathews is still going to be a key component to Sri Lanka's side because of the balance he brings.

The all-rounder is just as capable of playing a careful knock, as he proved in his match-winning 77 not out against Australia at the MCG last year, as he is of scoring quick runs from his position in the middle order.

His bowling is steady and unspectacular, but he is aided by a superb cricketing brain that belies his 23 years. He went at an impressive economy rate of just 4.15 in 2010.

To make him the perfect all-round package, Mathews - who has impressed in the IPL with the Kolkata Knight Riders - is also one of Sri Lanka's best fielders.