Their batting line-up hardly clicks in tandem. However, their frontline bowlers like Pollock and Ntini aren’t that effective on the tracks in the West Indies, despite the fact that they get tremendous backing from the outstanding fielders in the side. Their only bowler Hall with his devastating bowling against England is the only player who has realised the importance of reverse swing on such wickets. And only the South Africans have the reputation of fighting Aussies tooth and nail.

Yes, the real threat appears to be from that small island in the sub-continent called Sri Lanka. India were big brothers to them just two decades ago. It’s typical Sri Lankan culture — they follow their own game instead of copying Australia or England blindly. Their top three batsmen are in good nick and if Jayasuriya gets going, then the Cup for them is as good as assured. Down the line, they can rely on Silva, Tillakaratne and Arnold adding weight to the total whenever needed.

And they have a real, varied, all-purpose attack. It starts with the most experienced and accurate Vaas and the freakish Malinga and ending with most wily spinner in Murlitharan. And when it comes to fielding, they match any team in the world if not more.

• On the home front, we don’t know who is fooling who, and at what cost. The teams for the tour to Bangladesh in ODI and Test series have been announced. If the selection committee has to go by the Board’s directive, there appears to be more comebacks than the fresh faces — only two to be precise.

... contd.