The next day the cricket match goes like a Boy's Own Paper fantasy. Mahela wins the toss and makes the right call, to bat. Tharanga repays Mahela's confidence by scoring an aggressive fifty that gives the innings momentum despite early wickets. When he falls, MJ's in first gear, but by the time Wrykyn's innings ends, he's smacking Sedleigh's fast men to all parts. Just think of it: Mahela calls right, backs the right man and scores an unbeaten century at faster than a run a ball to set up a massive win.

The reason Wodehouse didn't write this novel is because he specialized in plausible school stories centred on cricket and this one's plot line was too good to be true. There's no conflict, no tension, and Mahela walks on water. But you know what? Fans are coarse spectators: they'll take all the good news they can get.

And listen, I've been thinking about the final. Ponting wins the toss and puts Sri Lanka in on a fast Barbadian track. Big mistake. Jayasuriya and Sanagakkara failed at the right time, the match before. So they're due big scores and they get them. Then Tharanga and Mahela fool everyone by beating the odds and doing it all over again. Lightning strikes twice, Atlantis surfaces and McGrath goes for 60 in eight overs. 289 for 2 this time. By the time the innings ends, it's past my bedtime and I sleep through Murali and Malinga's Punch and Judy show. When I wake up in the morning, they've won.

ohh that would be the kind of dream every srilankan fan would love to have.. lets hope for the best..ALL THE BEST LANKA!!!

Mahela was great , the best innings i have seen in the world cup. Sanath , Sri lanka needs you on Saturday . You can do this one more time. It has been done by you before . Just focus on De Silva in the 1996 world cup. You will surely get there . Good Luck . Sri Lanka.

all the best SRI LANKA!!!!!!!!

Mukul, are you for real? Do you really make money by writing these blogs?

I think the best and most deserving two teams of the tournament have reached the top. Its going to be a very exciting contest. Sri Lanka has the best bowling attack of the tournament while the Australia has an alround team. On their day Sri Lanka can trample not only the minnows but can crush the biggest. The Finals at last!!!!

Lets see what dreams are made of :-)

Thats my dream too. Yeeees SL can and they will do it. Good luck to them. Of course I wouldn't go to sleep but would watch SL win the World Cup.

fall asleep through the WC final?! hehe. but im putting my money on sanga firing on saturday. sanga with the bat and murali will enjoy the bounce. good luck boys.

As a West Indian fan .. I fully support Sri Lanka and hope they soundly beat the Aussies. It will take some doing though and it surely will be a good match. One thing though, you would actually go to sleep????!!!

Mukul, you can become a playwriter for movies. i remember 2003 WC FInal. I was attending a party with my Indian Colleagues. All were damn sure Sehwag will mastermind India's Victory. Are you somekind of clown here??

Mukul, didnt you watch yesterday's game AUS vs SA. A belter slow pitch full of runs, and what happened. Write blogs with information and facts, not with your passions and asian traits.

oops since it is a dream, but come back reality picture will be jaya won't shine, sanga will try, taranga will shine along with Vaas & malinga but Hayden, ponting & co will make history of hattrick in world cup by claming their third consequtive wc win. Enjoy the game as ponting told earler cheers

An lovely pen picture, inspired by the truly great PGW. Unfortunately, Wodehouse never had truly terrible villains. Perhaps someone pinching a policeman's helmet, or a cow creamer even...no room for big Hayden, even bigger Symonds!!!

Actually, I think it is more "Chaplinesque"; and, one can't be sure whether the Tramps from the sub-continent will emerge victorious, or will walk away into the background, leaving us all to wipe a tear for what might have been!

oops since it is a dream, but come back reality picture will be jaya won't shine, sanga will try, taranga will shine along with Vaas & malinga but Hayden, ponting & co will make history of hattrick in world cup by claming their third consequtive wc win. Enjoy the game as ponting told earler cheers

ahh kinda confusin article.. but who cares as long he support SL thts fine hehe:)

I too want Srilanka to win and Aussies out as they have created hegemony & dominace.
But this is a wishful thinking just as we Indians expected India to win World Cup.
Just look at Australia. They are playing a different level of cricket if you are willing to observe the game as an unbiased lover of cricket.
Atleast as of now; they are invincible and that is a reality of today's cricket world. The only solace is that cricket is a game of glorious uncertainities and maybe just maybe maybe Australia falters in that day of final. Srilanka could be lucky winner. LET"S HOPE SO.
BEST OF LUCK TO SRILANKA

Well written , this is what exactly every millions of Sri Lankans have in their mind.Wait for two more days you will know it for sure.Judgement day on 28th.My Wishes with the Sri Lankans.

lol. I've been thinking the same thing man. I'm actually very happy that Jayasuriya didn't make a century against england or nz. He's due for a big one soon and I pray to god that it will be at Barbados. Same for Sanga. fingers crossed.

Yes, give me the island flavour anyday - be it the Caribbean or the Lankan, and I will prefer it to the beef and steak of the Aussies - who are no doubt awesome, but there is a greater magic and joy in beating the best - and Sri Lanka can, and WILL.

What a dream !!! Nightmare for Aussies ??? Twenty million islanders will have a party time. How about Aussies ? All Aussies would become instant experts in bowling action analysis. Malinga the slinger would become an instant chucker. Tait the slinger would become a saint as he couldn’t take many wickets. They would sing “Our Tommo the slinger did it....but with a passion.... blood on the pitch” Ricky would say “ if we had Tommo... we would have won”

I wish your dream (and mine too) may come true!
Good luck Sri Lanka..you can do it!

And then you wake up and watch the television - darn you wished you had continued the dream - Aussies win by 9 wickets with 150 balls to spare!!

Dang it!!

Two things wrong with this picture: 1) If Ponting wins the toss, he will bat. I'll leave you to guess what the other one is...

A wonderful dream I'm sure, but I feel that the reality will be the polar opposite. Nothing except for a horrible day for the Aussies and a out-of-skin performance from the lankans will result a hint of an upset. The fact is, the Aussies have demonstrated exactly how far ahead of everyone else in the world they are and it would be a great injustice for them to lose, and if they do it will be no-one's fault but their own.

I can onle hope that the rest of the world has caught up by 2011 and we have a hard-fought, edge of your seat world cup. See you in 4 years!

Australia is the toughest team in the world to beat. But Mahela knows that it could be done and that the one team that Australia fear is Srilanka because of the fantastic talent and unorthodoxy of some of it's players.Sanath is the greatest one day allrounder of all time (nearly 12000 runs and 300 wickets) and can destroy any bowling attack on his day.Murali is the bowlers Bradman and only needs one opportunity to weave his magic. Malinga's menace is still to be experienced by Australia in a oneday match. Vaas's other bunny is Gilchrist . Australia once had five runouts in Srilanka's hands and this is a very different fielding side to other Asian teams with Dilshan lurking around.Mahela is finally fulfilling his potential for the great batsman he is. Sanga has been the best gloveman in the tournament and can also sledge with the best.These are exotic talents who are playing with a burning desire to win.Against them stand the great team headed by Ponting. In 1996 Australia underestimated Srilanka who had the best batting side in the world . Even after the 1996 world cup Australia was regularly beaten by Srilanaka. In 2007 Srilanka has the best bowling attack in the world. Also as with Bradman , numbers don't lie. Srilankans hold the highest oneday and test partnerships , highest test and oneday scores and a bowler who has the world record of 8 wickets in a match. This is the one team that can beat Australia and Australia knows it. Without doubt Australia is the best team in the world on their record but if Srilanka can expose their middle order to Murali and co it is going to be an interesting match. The one thing that Australia realises is that Srilanka will not be intimidated like South Africa and will bring their own unique brand of cricket and boldness to the game. Also as in 1996 they are coached by a brilliant coach.

oooh it's not a dream .. on 29th there will be a lion on top of each kangaroo......

Well thats going to be every cricketing nation's dream (except for aus.. whatever). All of us are tired of thier so called strong hold on Cricket. Its time for the tide to change and its time Sri Lanka thumps Australia again. No De Silva, No Ranathunga, but history will repeat itself regardless of the missing names cos Sri Lanka are better and core confident...

Why we like indians they have great heart of supporting islanders

I long for someone, anyone, to beat Australia, to pull them back, show that they are human. Every time they get knocked back, they become stronger.

Sri Lanka have genius in their ranks and are worthy finalists; I think they were right to hold back Vaas, Malinga, and Murali from the super 8 match as it prevented the Aussie batsmen from seeing them. Get Hayden out, get Ponting out, and SL have a chance. I am going to be Sri Lankan for a day!

oH THE DREAM OF EVERY SRILANKAN WILL COME TRUE ON APRIL 28TH. ALL THE BEST SRILANKA!!!!! SANATH WE WANT A CENTURY FROM YOU. WE LOVE THE WAY YOU PLAY ALL THE BEST.

Good article Mukul and a terrific performance by Sri Lanka, tainted only by Judy(Chuckmaster)Murali's blatant and brilliant display of chucking.I am not an Aussie supporter, though for the final, I will be rooting for the team with legitimate players.Whatever happened to the ban on the King of Chuck's doosra? Was Chuck cleared to chuck it "as well" in the World Cup. The sooner cricket puts the ICC and the chuckers to pasture, the better for the game. Pleasant dreams Mukul.

i hope you are right

You shouldn't underestimate the Australia team and this is from a person that's supporting a Sri Lanka team in the final.

Well, heres to wishful thinking.

Thats the kind of dream i would like to have. Jayasuriya, Sanga, Mahela and Upul firing at the same time. That hasn't happened before, but that doesn't mean its impossible. If all our batting guns fire, MacGrath and co. will go for big runs. Hoping for the best. GOOD LUCK LIONS!!

All I want see, someone to beat arrogant Aussies.
Sri lanka will do it all over again and bring the cup to Asia

i have been one of the die-heart srilankan cricket fan since 1996.with god blessing,they will definately win this worls cup.i wish them best of luck

cricket is a funny game. Had mahela been caught by shane bond on 70 (91 balls), had dilshan been smashed when murali was replaced after just one over by styris?? Mahela is a conservative captain not an attacking one.. hope luck stays with him one last time as I would love srilanka to win too..

what a dream! I am supporting Sri Lanka and dare not think what kind of match it will turn out to be. All I can say is some miracle happens and Australia is stopped. I really can't in all my imagination envisage that situation =/

Mukul, you fool. You had to jinx the Lankans, hadnt you? Please , please shut your mouth - if and when it happens,we can gloat. Please. Shut up until it happens.

It is not dream my dear. It is a predict 100% correct.Let's wait for the moment.Mahela and co knows how to raise for the big occasion.

This time Lions gonna have Kangaros for dinner on 28th.

Sri Lanka , please win it----win it for Asia, win it for cricket and most importantly---win it for Pakistan & India--- We want to forget the final of 1999 and 2003. We want to remind Australia 1996, and to the world 1983 and the real one 1992.
SriLanka we are supporting you since the "darkestday" when IreLand and Bangladesh crushed the dreams of billions---- but you have revived some sense of satisfaction, soe dreams, some motivation and some pride--- Srilankan tigers win it for me, for us. It will be fitting to have a complete circle of 2-2 in Asia vs Australia finals----and then beating srilanka 3-0 in Abu Dhabi in may------ Ahh Shafiq from Pakistan.

I was telling everyone in my cricketing circle that Sri-Lanka will be in the WC finals long before they contest started. It is one of my favorite teams ( I am from Pakistan ) and I have been a fan for a long time. I wish them all the best for the finals. Australia looks very impressive and Sri-Lanka will have to play out of their skins to win the final and they certainly are capable of doing that. If any team ever had a chance of matching up against Australia..Sril-Lanka is it. Let's hope that in the finals they play well and pull a victory.

Its great to see the humble Lankans get to the final. Winning it would be on par with the great '83 upset. Personally I can't see that happening as the Aussies are too professional and the quick wicket with Tatey aiming for ribs and base of middle stump alternatively may prove one bridge too many for the gallant Lankans. As an Indian supporter, I still feel that my boys did not do justice to their talent, but even if they had managed to reach the finals, its hard to see anyone beating this awsome Aussie outfit today. As the great Barry Richards said a while ago, Oz are by far the best team by a country mile and a half and their results show that. Their thrashing of the pretenders SA should demonstrate why they are where they are. Go Lanka...at least give them a fight second time around which is more than what anyone so far has managed in this tournament!
Incidentally Mukul, go easy on the pseudo sophisticated metaphors! Much as I like PGW, I hardly think he would have cricket on his mind when he had Bertie's several aunts and girlfriends to think about!! Keep up the good work though bruv..

Thanks for the fantasy, Mukul. No, Wodehouse could never have done it. He was way too bland.

But yeah... you were spot on... I'd give anything for a little good news today.

'Cos if this Sri Lankan team can really get the better of this Aussie team... it will in cricketing terms be a seismic event across a certain continent.

This World Cup has already seen its share of seismic events (across other continents). It may very well be that the biggest on Rickter's own scale of cricket things is yet to be.

It could happen if Rickter is somehow outsmarted by Mahela and the Aussies all fall in a heap like Ring Around My Roses ("We all fall down"), OR... Sri Lanka turns in a sub-par performance and are blown out for less than Mahela's not out score against the Kiwis.

I think I'll enjoy the happy phantasy for now. Can't go wrong with that, can I? Either I will have the REAL THING in the end OR... I can keep Mukul's perfect happy ending.

(But tell me Mukul... why did the schoolboy all of a sudden stop dreaming before the end? Was the Wodehouse influence a bit much?)

Bingo... the entire cricket loving community, barring Australia, would love to see that happen, and some would pray too.
You said it all, to beat the best team in the world, with a decade of dominance backing them, the Sri Lankans have to do the unthinkable... keep wickets upfront, and score 300 by the end.

I am Pakistani, but I am rooting for Sri Linka. They can make Asia proud. COME ON YOU LANKANS!

I agree 100%. Aussies are in for a rude shock, Sanath and Kumar are going to make matters worse for the kangaroos. Mcrgrath will go for some runs but it will be the other bowlers who will suffer specially Tait.
SriLanka will win the world cup 2007.

Dear Mukkul,

From the Begining we (including you ) trust our team & their ability. Somebody says we can't.
Now there nothing to lose. WE MUST WIN THIS WORLDCUP. We accept AUS is the powerful team.
But Our(TEAM) Trust is more powerful....!

So Great Mahela & Our Team....! Thank you Very Much..,

If either of these 2 teams win the toss & bowl first, I will never watch cricket again!

www.manojtiwary.com is coming

this coming final reminds me a lot of the 1983 finals - between the Windies and India.

Lets put things into perspective. The Windies in 83 were everything and more than what the aussies are today.

It was their 3rd consecutive finals. they had won the previous 2. (sounds very similar eh?) everyone expected them to thrash their opponent but what happened in the end?

so just lets keep that in mind.

but nevertheless, i am expecting an all-out Ozzie victory.

hmm.. based on historical records and some crystal-balling, if sri lanka lose the toss, they will win the world cup.
:D

What a great realisation it would be IF THAT DREAM comes true ! I have been backing up SL ever since the WC started and they have not let me down so far i the intial two stages , I do hope they do it just one more time and give me pleasure of celeberating their win like I did back in 1996 , you must be surprised to know how come a PAKI doing that ? Folks I am always for a better team sport display than a bad country sport fiasco . I call Pak team a bunch of YOYos and I call Indians bunch a flat track igoestic bully gathering , I admired SL always . Statistics tells me AUSS are on it 4th time but I prefer a team of artists than a physical bullying group and I do hope ARTISTS WILL HAVE IT

Between the two finalists Australia is the better team just like in 1996.And just like in 1996 will their inflated ego burst into smithereens ?

ALL THE BEST LANKA

In your dreams, bud....

IT WILL BE A GOOD KANGAROO BBQ FOR LIONS

Terry G,

The trend in this blog is generally positive. Please get off this blog, if you cannot stomach/ accpet the genius of MURALI THE GREAT!! ICC and lot of others have cleared him. Only you and a couple of biased Australian umpires are harping about Murali's action.

For the first time I saw Murali bowl in the semis and I did not see anyhting wrong.

PLEASE DO NOT KILL THE POSITIVE AND HAPPY TREND IN THIS BLOG WITH YOUR ABSURD COMMENTS!!

Yes, All the best Sri Lanka.
Mukul, please drink lots of coffee and dont ever miss the second half of the match.

Sri Lanka definitely has enough fire power to beat Australians, and all all of us sincerely hope Sri Lankans will do that.
By the way Terry Gonsalves, If i remeber correct Brett Lee also had an issue with his action, wasn't it? and where is Brett Lee from?

Dear Cricky
Hey don’t be so narrow-minded. Sri Lanka is very different from South Africa. You know how Sri Lanka beat India.
Just ready for a big surprise from Sri Lankans.
Bttt Please don’t sleep bcoz Jayasuriya is much much better than Shevag and Sachin.
KEEP IT UP GUYS. MAKE SOUTH ASIA PROUD……..

we cn do this man!!!get pontin ,hayden out...thn thr all screwd up !!

Mukul , you forgot to add "I hate Australia" to your drivel. Good luck with your dream , reality is that Australia will win by 150 + runs or with 7 wickets and 80 balls to spare.

Aussies haven't seen the real power of MALINGA. Vaas as usual will be taking a wicket in his first over and Murali too can do wonders.. NO ONE CAN CONTROL LIONS, LIONS ARE LIONS FOREVER!! East or West Lankans are the Best!!! 28th April will be Lankan's Day!!

Wishing our Sri Lanka team all the every best. The level of self confidence and guidance of Moody had inspired them. Sunday 29th is set aside for celebrations. Its gonna be Sanath's Big Game!!!

GOD has to come down and bat for srilanka, if they are to beat Australia. Well, maybe he will come in the Form of Jayasuria, but mites.. happy fantacing..

Wishing our Sri Lanka team all the every best. The level of self confidence and guidance of Moody had inspired them. Sunday 29th is set aside for celebrations. Its gonna be Sanath's Big Game!!!

yeh, well played lanka..im Australian, but i have a soft spot for sri lanka.u guys seem to enjoy the cricket you play and bring excitement to the field.i dont think many of the australians wouldnt mind you guys winning if the unthinkable happens..hope its a good contest though

GOD has to come down and bat for srilanka, if they are to beat Australia. Well, maybe he will come in the form of Jayasuria, but mites.. happy fantacising..

For the good of the game, Lanka will be world cup champions!

www.manojtiwary.com is coming..

the nature of supporting sri lanka is made quite precarious by the fact that within 10 overs, they are either set for a 300+ score, or apparently struggling depending on the fate of Jayasuriya. of course their middle order is filled with reliability, yet there is something insatiable in desperately hoping Jayasuriya will just hurry up with the violence and finish the match off so that we can sit back and bask in the glory of being (quasi) sri lankan for the next 90 overs. however when the latter happens, the morning after brings a superior satisfaction, that of a team victory rather than a freak of nature doing what he does (though i don't have any qualms about the 2 freaks of nature doing what they do with the ball)...

and before stepping off the soapbox, let me just say that, as someone who lives in Sydney, the depth of Australian cricket is bordering on tyrannical. Brad Haddin has been a better player than Gilchrist for 18 months now. Phil Jacques could feel reasonably grieved for not having been picked ahead of Hayden for the last 2 years. Brad Hogg often doesn't make his state team. Shaun Tait wouldn't have made the squad if Brett Lee didn't go Bollywood on the world.

ps love the wickedly unintentional irony in Muhammad Shafiq's comment: "Srilankan tigers win it for me, for us"...

blah!

Aah! The uninformed. "Pseudo sophisticated metaphors" - too many syllables, bruv!

@Mr. Pandit(!) is not aware about the passion that Wodehouse had for cricket.

May I recommend "Wodehouse at the wicket", written by none other than PGW himself.
Here's the synopsis:

Wodehouse was a devoted cricketer, and cricket dominates his early writings. This is an anthology of the best of Wodehouse's cricket writings, in the form of extracts from stories, humorous pieces and poems. The introduction provides information on the author's own cricket career.

All I dream is for the game to go till the last over of the day.. no matter who wins I would be happy. It will be such a treat.
Aldo from DownUnder.
ps: I think the two professionalism of both teams
is pretty comparable
psps: I want to dream for the next world cup games that go the distance..

Don't be such a sadist. I want SL to win too... but McGrath going 60 in 8. Please, its his last game. Spare a thought for the old guy will ya. Lets say, SL batsmen respect him for what he is, and he bowls 10 for 35 runs and takes those 2 wickets. Everyone else makes the fielders fetch.

Malinga and Murali show? Come on I think you might be underestimating the best batting lineup in this World Cup - How about the Ponting/Clarke/Symonds/Hayden show?
Talk about big score due...how about Hussey? or Gilchrist?

I am a diehard supporter of India but after India, its the most talented team that deserves to win it all. While many think it is SL, I feel their batting is weak and Aus is better allround...

Though my brain tells me it is going to be the Ozies, my heart wants the Lankans to win; and by a big margin too!

The Lankan lads can do it once again. They have the talent and they have the hunger and I am sure they will bring something innovative to the finals. Good Luck Sri Lankans. You can do it.

Sri Lanka will win - they have a 100% record in world cup finals ;)

I'm a Sri Lankan & I would love to see us win.However,it is a task which is humanly impossible even for the magnificent Cricketers from Sri Lanka ...The Aussies are too powerful for them...

.....but wait !...

"For what is impossible with Men is possible with God"(Luke 18;27)

"God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble"(1Peter 5:5)

"Many are the plans in a man's heart,but it is THE LORD'S PURPOUS that WILL prevail"(Proverbs 19:21)

There is HOPE !

srilankans winning against aussies will be like luke skywalker (mahela) and the rebels defeating the emperor (ponting), harry potter(murali) outwitting voldemort(gilchrist) with magic, eragon(sangakarra) outscoring galbotrix(hayden), naruto(malinga) throwing rasengan on orachimaru(symonds) manga style. The oppressed nations of the past decade will celebrate (ind, pak eng, sa, etc..).this will be a new dawn. froddo(dilshan) will throw the ring(fear of facing aussie) into the lava, much to the angst of mordon the moron(mcgrath). come on sri lanka! P.S in case u win dont rest too much, wait for the indian tigers after the world cup...we are hungry for your blood. you will have to pay for what you did to us!

First of all BEST OF LUCK SRI LANKA!!!
Secondly, I would like to as "Cricky" to get a reality check. Cricket is a game, and in a game, predictions can't be true. Don't get your hopes up about Australia. I remember in 1992 worldcup, Pakistan team was all out for 74 against England in the first round. Lucky for them, it rained through England's innings and the match was a draw. Turns out, later in the tournament, Pakistan went ahead and won the Worldcup. So, I won't be surprised if Sri Lankan team played the game of their lives in the final and won the Worldcup. Aussies' winning streak will come to an end sooner or later

I read many comments from Indians and they really hate SL to win. You think any south asian team will support one another as they are always subjected to white dominance. But I guess with Indians it is a different story. I think what India cricket fans and in general need to understand is give due credit and pass off the hatred. SL beat India since it was a competition when it comes to humanity I am positive the same 11 men will stand side by side with the 11 that reprsent India where ever it is necessary. This is where the Lankans will not betray our South Asians.
Seems like British Raj gave more than Cricket to the Indians. LOL!
Win or loose, we still proved to the Cricket world there will be tough competition all the time from the brown power! How cool is that?

Mukul back to his lankan love. Thank god, no reference to Indian boys. Hey hold on, what did i read ? SL winning the cup....Cudnt help laughing. Thats a biggest joke i have ever seen from a so called matured journo. The kind of form aussies are in, it wud take GODS to descend to earth to beat them, and this 11 men from lanka are mere mortals.. Looking at the way the Aussies have bulldoozoed to final it wud be a foolhardy to dream of a lankan win, but my dear friend Mukul you hv been a perfect Indian here, selling dreams to poor Lankan fans, who got in your trap and started posting crap again on this space...SL win on McGrath s day ? ahahahaha...Did you see what haappened to Kallis and Smith when they tried to take Aussies to task, they were tasked....Ditto for Jayasuriya, Tharanga, King Mahela, Sledger Sangakaara (smone pls gift him a comb to make his hairdo before final), Chamara Silva and Russell Arnold. Malinga wud best be left to pick balls from coconut trees dispatched by Symmo, Haydo, Gilli, Clarkey, Watso and Ponting..Good luck Mukul and all you SL fans out there....And did i forget the King Chuckli ? He s going to repeat his sydeny figures of 0/97 (10)? did u forget that ? Good luck Mukul, unfortunately ur dream wont come true....

please Lanka.. don't let the Aussies win..

The only way Australia can be defeated is by putting them under pressure, which will be possible only by putting up huge score for them to chase or if they are batting by claiming their top order batsmen quickly.Srilanka is very nice team and with a fighter spirit... let see..
i'm with Sirilanka.....

I AM A SRI LANKAN. I WOULD BE PLEASED TO SEE THE BETTER TEAM OF THE DAY WIN.

THE TEAM THAT HANDLES THE PRESSURE WELL WILL WIN THE CUP!

THANK YOU PAKISTANIS AND INDIANS FOR YOUR SUPPORT TO SRI LANKA!

MUKUL, THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING MEDICINE FOR OUR DRY BONES!!!!

Sri Lankan have played like champions throughout this tournament and they deserve to win. Sri Lankan side is full of talented and enthusiastic players with a thirst to win matches and that is the key of their success. I wish them good luck on 28 th and love to see them winning the cup.

I am a Pakistan fan but right now i want to see Sri Lanka win just like they did in 1996 at Lahore and i was cheering for Sri Lanka.
What a fantasy you have written, although i wish Sri Lanka wins but to reach the ultimate glory they have to play out of their skins to beat the professionals like Australia.

I am hopeful we have a contest on our hands unlike both the semi finals, and i hope we do have a 100 overs match.

Best of Luck Sri Lanka.....i wish you guys had at least one or two big hitters for penultimate overs.

dont worry about support, indians are supporting lankans until 28th of this month. thats for sure. but after the 28th we want to defeat the champs! but till then come on sanath what about snatching your fastest century record back from afridi?

Win or loose, the Sri Lankan team are heroes to this battered nation. They've come this far by diligence, hard work, commitment and a bigger picture - the team instead of the individual - in mind.

They'll be give a heroes welcome regardless of the result.

Good to Mahela and the lads.

We love Sri Lanka Cricket team, whether they win or lose. As much we hate Ranjith Fernando

http://ranjitfernandosucks.blogspot.com

Jayasuriya didnt make the semi's and the final count last time around, 10 yrs on and with more maturity, he will want to make his mark.

Come-on Sri Lanka, knock them over

Sri Lanka all the way

Sri Lanka definitely have a point to prove to Australia, specially since they left three of their best bowlers out for the super 8 match up against Australia. With Malinga, Vaas and Muali back it wont be easy for the Ozzys. Sri Lanka would have to bat first and get a decent score. Anything around 250 would be hard for the Ozzys to chase even though they have good batsmsn. If Sri Lanka can get 2 or 3 early wickets specially Hayden and Ponting that would be nice. Sri Lanka's batting still worries me though, Sanga and Sanath need a big score. They are really due for a big one. Sanga needs to bat through the innings. SRI LANKA all the way...

Does anyone remember in 1996, in the crowd at lahore there was a painting of a kangaroo on its knees worshipping a lion????
Well i do.....keep that image in mind everyone....cause that is what will happen on saturday!!!!!

Our Hero Mahela?????????? Since when did he become OUR hero....Mukul you are such a loser....SL may be able to beat the Ozzies in the final...but we all know who is by far the best team...and please dont adopt unneccessary heroes on behalf of all Indians. I accept Mahela is a great player but he is not OUR hero!!!!

Indians have now become synonymous with day dreaming. Before the world cupe there was lot of talk about how Aussies are now dipping in performance etc. The Aussies have responded the best way like they always do. In 1999, there was talk about how a talented Pakistan team can send Australia packing. In 2003, there were people talking about Arithmetic progressions, alternate left and right handed captains winning world cups and historical facts about Australia winning 16 tests before losing to India in Kolkata and then entering world cup final on the back of 16 wins in ODIs and facing India again and all that rot. End of the day, the truth was there for everyone to see. Now it is the third Asian team they are up against in the last 3 world cups. Again there is lot of dream that SL would lift the cup. I too would like to see SL win, but let us face the reality, the chances are very very small. The difference though is that the SL team is not made up of emotional cricketers like the '99 Pakis or the selfish personal record and sposnsorship conscious 2003 Indian team. The SL team seems to be made of honest, humble and commited cricketers who value team above self. They are also lot more professional and have it in them to give Aussies a run for their money. Even if they are walloped in the final, I am sure they will look to improve and not just sit on the legacy of being world cup runners up like what India did. Hats of to u SL for ur attitude and commitment and best wishes for a competitive game in the final

Cricket is a game with full of commitment and little bit with luck.No matter what happens past, it's the better team with luck and performed well within that pertiquler day, through 100 overs will get the ultimate goal.we will see that aussies power to backfire on that day

Mahela has just acquired a steel brain from the NZ match. When the boss has a steel brain, he will get the best out of his company. Professional Aussies will be wired up in a steel mesh. Everyone can enjoy the final based on Mahela's brain power. This is about when Aussies are batting. Score is 219 for Aussies batting 1st. In 6 wickets and 41 overs SL will pass that mark with Sanath on 46 in first 8 overs. Mahela on 69, Tharanga on 29, Sanga on 86, Arnold on 9, Dilshan not out at 6 everyone contributes. Murali the man of the match with 4 wickets. Maharoof 2nd best player of the match with field and ball, with Malinga to break the Aussie top order with 3 wickets and Vass gets 1 wicket only. let's see. N.B.: the pitch favors SL. so the 90% of spectators. SL and rebels stop the internal war and settle for a negotiated settlement after SL winning the World Cup. Good for all and SL will build a new nation with Cricket in the North, South, East and West all beautiful beaches for all. I look for a holiday in SL in December. Join me in one of those beaches.

A few facts to be corrected. The only time Mike Jackson took part in a Wrykyn-Sedleigh match, he represented Sedleigh ('Enter Psmith') as he was taken out of Wrykyn by his father in the previous term for poor academic reports.
Wrykyn's big game was usually the one against Ripton, but thanks to an outbreak of mumps (or possibly measles) at Ripton, that fixture was scratched and Wrykyn were able to give Sedleigh a game.
For those interested: Wodehouse was a reasonably good fast bowler, but his poor eye did not allow him to shine with the bat, so one assumes he would have been a bit of a tail-end bunny. The name of one of his immortal creations, Jeeves, is taken from that of a Warwickshire professional fast bowler Percy Jeeves who was tipped as a strong possibility for England by none other than 'Plum' Warner (he of the Bodyline series fame), but was unfortunately killed in WW1 while still only 27 years old. Wodehouse was also an active member of the Hollywood Cricket Club during his days in Hollywood (though rather too old to play much) and turned out once for the Authors team led by Sir Arthur Canon Doyle in an Authors vs Actors game.
Wodehouse did write of cricket matches that were not set in school. In 'Psmith in the City' Mike Jackson, fed up with being cooped up at a bank when there is such fine (cricket playing) weather outside, finally chucks the job and goes out to Lords to represent his county when his brother calls asking for help as they are a batsman short. He scratches around, but survives initially, but finds some decent form after lunch to score a century (The passage also contains description of how lunch can do or undo a batsman and why it is mandatory to chew each mouthful at least twenty-three times while meditating on cricket). Wodehouse also wrote some droll poems on cricket including 'The Cricketer in Winter' and 'The Umpire'.

Based on historical evidence,

my fortune-telling tell me that if Sri Lanka lose the toss, they will win the world cup

1975 - windies won the toss - won the world cup
1979 - windies won the toss - won the world up
1983 - windies loss the toss - loss the world cup

1999 - aus lost the toss - won the world cup
2003 - aus lost the toss - won the world cup
2007 - aus win the toss - lose the world cup

Aus is no doubt the better team, but that's what makes this a great final. The fan favorite versus the powerhouse. The good guys versus the bullies. Lagaan anyone?? Yes, lanka will have to play an extraordinary game to even make it a contest, but like Mukul says, this is what dreams are made of. Go Sanath! (One last time for a billion fans outside Australia :)

Mukul:

Make no mistakes about it. LANKA seldom reach a final and come home without winning it.

If you think you have seen the best of LANKANS thus far: BEHOLD I sent 11 roos amidst a lion pack and must I say they are hungry.

Its not LANKA VS AUS

Its MURALI VS bunch of school bullies.

One last roar for lankan pride that will echo in etertiny.

Do you hear it?

DO you?

Luxman Gurusamy

I think you really want Srilanka to win and beat the hell out of the Aussie but you are afraid that this wont be the case (which we will see on Saturday anyway) so you have put this as a dream so to place your self in a Win Win situation. If lanka does what you predict them to do you will jumping up and down and saying to this world that "LOOK I AM A SAINT TO WHOM TRUE DREAMS COMES WHICH IS AGAINST THE NORMS :)" but as expected if its another stroll in the park for the aussie then you will tamely right "WELL WE CAN ONLY DREAM AND THE AUSSIE ARE TOO GOOD FOR ANYBODY"

You are a clever guy but not a brave one to put your neck on the line and predicts the thrashing of Aussie.

And by the way I would love to see Srilanka hammering Aussie in the final.

First of all a big thank you to all the great people of the Carribean who have made the Lankans feel at home. Thanks for your support.

Australia are a great and professional team, they have done a great service to the game with their brand of cricket setting high standards for the whole world.
On Saturday Sri Lanka will show that we are ready for the challenge. Power Cricket versus Spice Cricket. Oz be careful what you bite, it may be too hot to handle.

Lions whoop the kangaroos!... end of story!

Records are meant to be broken. An unbeaten team will get beaten as well. Fans will remember the ICC Champions trophy in 2002 I believe, when Aravinda changed the complex of the game with his
magical bowling completely foxing Gilchrist and the Aussies in full cry. If a performance(miracle)of this kind can be recreated, then of course SL does have a chance ! I wish good luck to both teams. One thing for sure - this game will be the most entertaining of all. A true final of champion class, a breathtaking one. FANS DO NOT MISS IT !!!

Come on Sri Lanka! win it for all your beloved fans!

All the Best Sri Lanka

Well Mukul, I am an Indian. You know what a disastrous WC it was for the Men in Blue.... :-(

In 2003, we dreamt so much....and what happened was a nightmare....The way the Aussies struck in the Super 8 match against the Lankans (in what I, and hopefully many of us, thought should have been a close call - a-nail-biting-match - a seat-edge-thriller but ALAS! it was a one-sided match again), I think the Lankan Lions should put an absolute perfect all-round performance. If so, even then, they have half-the-chance of winning the WC. So, let dreamers dream. What must happen will happen. But I expect Lankans to play not just well but alarmingly well....

I don't have anything against Australia. Infact, they are making me spell-bound. But 3-in-a-row cups........ Come on, Joeys, someone would/should/could put up a good fight with you, atleast, for the sake of the GOLDEN GLORY.

ALL THE BEST, TEAM LANKA......... :-)

Srilanka will have Kangaroo curry on 28th.we are are praying for srilankan victory.

It was expected by Pakistanis in 1999,They said Indians will do in 2003, Now you are dreaming about srilankans.... and the story continues... But the winner will be Australia for next ten years dude.., They are far ahead of all the teams...

Dreams apart, Sri Lanka has done well up to now and they don't have to worry. On 28th, just play a normal game and enjoy the cricket. If they do that, everything else will fall in to place.

Good luck!

I understood one thing SB and MK, they are circus clowns. Aussie is the just the top team, not the invincible, but they are the true proffesional to be top team in the world. Yesterday's match is clear example. Since Pak and Ind became minnows, these guys try to prove their extremity and jealousy, they hate aussies. How many times India boasted to show off in front of Aussie after winning coca cola trophy in 1998? did they manage to get through. Between 2003 and 2007, how many matches Sl lost to Aussie.

Lux Gurusamy,
Did u start watching cricket since 2007 World cup. Aussies are not racist, you guys are racist, jealous, insane about aussies. I dont think Murali factor is a matter of issue for Aussies. They have to overcome it to win the match. Asians are good in playing cricket by mouth. and all you are expert in that.

Do you guys know when aussies got hammered by SL. It was one occasion in the past 5years. at 2003 VB series in SCG. where really Marvan and Sanath ruled the SCG. Why the hell you need a racist coach. Say me you flock of Asians. Not a single Aussie player abused SL till now.

I know onething, you dont enjoy cricket, u just make scenes for nothing. Passion to support your team is ok, but that passion is to support your team, not to sledge other teams. I have one personal question. SOUMYA BATTACHARYA - Are you a bengali or a Punjabi? I know Punjabi and Bengali enjoys the anger and emothions of people. I think you people deserve to be scolded by the worst terms in english language.

In this blog, there seems have many Indians supporting SL team. Can we have some of Indian best sortware engineers with cricket knowledge analyse each Aussie player for weaknesses and strengths, i.e. where to ball Pointing to get him out, 1st best place to put the ball, required speed and pace, height, frequency levels of the ball to be fired, pitch conditions per bouncing spefications, etc, so that we can enjoy the game more with such technical knowledge as SL ball at Ausssies. I am confident that any player can get out at in a ball that is purely measured for that specific players mind set at that time exposing his eyes, angles, on a specifc ball landing at specific technicalities. SL has Murali, Malinga and Vass to work out near close executions if such an accurate analysis can be done by a billion people country with enoumouse technical resources and brain power, the Great India.

Surely Lanka beat the Ausies

Australia is without doubt the best team in the world, Sri lanka with the new leadership and a changed mental approach is a team that could possibily be where australia is in another 2 years time, however they have got all the talent and ability to beat australia, Sri lanka are better players on bouncy wickets than they were a year ago, however not masters as it yet. But if jayasuria gets a good start and the rest make good contributions and the team remain mositive and mentally tough they have the ability to challenge australia and beat them, they are without doubt the seccont team in the world now but not the number one even if they beat the aussies, but if they continue the way they play then cricket wont be dominated just by the aussies and will be more interesting

I have prayed for sri lanka even in 1996,and all along we will wish them,and bless them to come up!To the top.They have the might to win and a decent lot unlike Aussies!, being so bullish!!!Play the game! and Let the better side win and will be Sri Lankans!

Full strength Sri Lankan team has a fine balance. I am not talking about the team that played Australia in super eights. Even the Australian’s doesn’t have such a balance and Ricky ponting’s men know very well, that they’ll face their toughest challenge in the tournament in Saturday. No matter who wins, it will be a fitting end to a long but fascinating tournament. But my mind says, Sri Lanka will return home with the trophy, like they did in 1996. I may be wrong, but, if I am right…..

Mukul - I am confident that your dream will come true. I am not even a Sri Lankan (pakistani to be exact), but that (lankan) team has truly inspired me - and a million others i am sure - to a point where i have a Sri Lankan flag in my apartment with the Lion raring to go for the Saturday battle. I guess I am awed by that team because of the 'simplicity' and the 'pride' with which they play the sport (something that is disappearing rapidly). 1 billion indians and 170 million pakistanis follow teams and shower wealth and fame on players who play for themselves and only themselves and the concept of playing for the team and pride of the country is foreign to them. It is such a sad sight to see the people being fooled so easily by the players. For every tournament, there is a pre-tournament hype, millions of dollars of advertisement contratcs, smiles, floweres, airports full of people waiting to see a 'star' and then the reality strikes - pathetic perofrmances, broken dreams, heads down, teams come home, airports crowded (this team for different reasons ofcourse), players escorted from the back doors, etc. The sad thing is it happens over and over again. Who is the winner in all this? Indian and Paki players. Why? Because they are the ones who still made money despite the fact that they lost. They are ones who are least bothered about the defeats because for them it is just another million they earned without having to work hard.
Coming back to Lankans, they may not have won every tournament, but boy they know how to fight and even if they go down, they go down like real men do - fighting. There may not be a Sachin Tendulkar in their team, but i hope everyone here knows that Sanath Jayasuriya has won more matches for his country than Sachin and that is what that matters at the end of the day. Sanath is 37 but he is more fit and works harder than the 20 year olds in other teams. He could have become like Inzi and focus just on eating and praying and think of himself like the 'fatherly' figure that Inzi is, but since for him it is about the team and about winning, he knows he has to work hard to achieve that.
As far as the Sat final goes, I have no doubt that they will pull it off. They are not like South Africans (big mouths and no talent) - they may not talk it up like Ricky Ponting would, but they will be ruthless with the killing instinct of the lion come Saturday. THEY WILL HUNT THE KANGAROO DOWN!!!

THank you for many Indian's assuarance for my above post of they will support SL but will defeat them later. I think we are more un-southasian when it comes to taking a win or a loose. Win or loose we still love our team. It is the same team that got defeated 6 times by India last year and 2 times very recently. We have faith in them what ever path time takes them. We don't subject our assets in the nation by burning their pictures, hitting stones at their property etc and dragging them under a massive pressure. Many SLs like me have seen many times SL loose and SL win but we are the same believers each time they walk up to the field.

What a knock!!!!! well I always thought Mahela's talent (the one he doesn't keep doing justice to according to the commentators) was always overestimated (and I'm Sri Lankan! lol!), but what a classic innings! it could have only been better if it was acheived against the Australians! but on another note, heres the plan for Australia! lol! Bat first ( because batting second against a score of 300 is gonna be too tuff even for this SL side), Jayasuriya has to score atleast a blazing half century( after all this is gonna be he's last world cup final! haha!), opening stand of atleast 70, Sangakkara will pay his dues, Mahela hold it together till the 45th over, Chamara and Dilshan blast a few into the stands (well yeah I know they might not reach the stands but atleast hit a few of those "just over the fence" Sri Lankan Sixes! haha! ) take the score over 275 and come off at the end of the 50 with a fighting chance! Have the last lunch before eternal glory, Vass come out swinging and seaming, and get Gilchrist trapped LBW and start the Lankan Warrior Chants (well atleast those frenzied howls they let out!), Malinga has to send in a thundering yorker down at Haydens toes (or atleast a low full toss), its worthwhile on the 1st ball I feel! Autralia 45 for 2 at 10! ( This is when everyone starts praying Dilhara or Maharoof - whoever it may be, doesn't screw up TOO bad! lol) hopefully at the end of 20 Australia 100 for 4 and on comes Murali and spins his Magic (and mark my words get Australia at 100 (or atleast 120) for 4 and Murali will take us home!) Jayasuriya uses all his experience and plugs the other end up and Dilshan takes an absolute beauty at point! and Dejavu (if thats how you spell it!), 96 all over again! Mcgrath bowled off a lightning bolt speared at middle stump by Malinga and out rushes everyone on to the pitch scrambling for those priceless stumps! LOL! well dont get me wrong I know it's a long shot (maybe we have a 20% chance against these Australians) but hey its a chance thats gonna definitely be taken! Sri Lanka to go all the Way baby!!! All the Way!!

Exactly as you've penned it, so it shall be. Come Saturday, Sri Lanka will have regained their former glory as world champions and see off the Aussies without a fuss. Ponting is a smart captain and will continue with his mind games, but for us Sri Lankans, instinct and ability alone will ensure victory. In Jayawardene, we have a captain who can curtail any of Pontings ridiculous claims. Go Sri Lanka! Victory shall be ours! =)

Interesting article.
Reminds me of the stuff I read in Boys Annuals in the early 60's as a schoolboy.
Otherwise sounds like delusions of grandeur......although I want Sri Lanka to win.

ANGEL :
I find it hard to comprehend what the point of your argument is.
Moreover, you seem to be speaking with little knowledge. How can you forget Daren Lehman's racist remarks on Sri Lankans?? Thats just one instance and the most recent probably.
Sooo i think you're better off knowing the facts.

mukul you love sri lanka dont you, also im sure mahela and co. will do us all pround and bring the cup back home:) TO THE SUBCONTINENT!!!

A dream which is going to come true. Aussis will be struggling in front of SL this time for real!!!. Coz Aus are fearsome to face SL in finals and they know that SLs are stunners especially in the finals. The only team who can beat Aus with confidence is SL. Sana or Sanga is going to rewrite the De Silva's record a century in a WC final. Gilchrist and Haden will be dancing with the slingy Malinga’s bowling. Murali will dance the rest. So Aussis will bend down in front of SL and their consistency of wining consecutive matches in the WC will be over. The tears in the faces of poor Aussis.

Well written Mukul. Wish you all the best SL. Sanath, Murali, Vass, Mali and captain Mahela and rest of the team you all have courage and strength to make this dream real.

That's the only way i can see SL win.Toss is vital.IF Aus are forced to chase ~250 or so in the dust bowl of barbados , SL will lift the cup.here are the reasons why
1)SL have many diddly doddlers like murali(yes , murali),dilshan,jayasurya,arnold et al who barely bounce the ball above ankle height.Aus are no great players of spin
2)Aus lower order has never batted. Clarke(to an extent),symonds,hussey,hodge haven't been in the middle for long. If 3 wickets are down in a jiffy, we have a game on our hands!
3) Real chance that Aus might be suckered into believe the early morning conditions to bowl first and lick their wounds later.
4)if SL win the cup, the biggest loss would be for cricket where a professional & disciplined team of 8 years standing was upstaged by a pretender who played consistently for 2 months under favourable conditions!.

Australia aren't going to insert the opposition in in a World Cup final. Mr Kesavan should come back to reality. The only way Sri Lanka can win this game is if they bat first and score at least 250.

after darren apologised persopnally to every srilankan player, if u dont remember mr.sujith, he made racist abuse in english, so everyone caught up, i know indians abuse in hindi or their state language, pak abuse in urdu, SL too abuse in native language and dont refuse that u dont do it,on field acts should be left onfield, i remember mcgra and sarwan exchanged heat in antigua, but WI board or media didnt make an issue as Asians does

Go LANKA dont listen to A SH :) and that is exactly was said for pak in 92 wat A SH is saying and that was exactly said for India in 87 but the still proved the pandits wrong... so here comes the LIONS over every Kangroo out in barbados...GO LANKA bring the gold beauty back to ASIA,,..,.,

this is my dream and all these years i was waiting for this momeb=nt ant i hope sl will win their second worl cup
good luck boys

To get serious here I think Australia are hot favourites. The odds are very strong towards them.
But if you remember Australia was hot favorites in 96 too.
I feel SL is ready for the final. They way they played, they have planned to this day months ahead.
It would be a SL win :)

I can't understand how in the world Malinga's action is legal!? If I were a cricket coach at the school level, I would have either corrected his action or would never have allowed him to bowl. The same thing goes for Murali too. If you take these two guys out, SriLanka is a mediocre team at best. Go Aussies!

well done mokul im so glad most of the indian fans supporting srilanka.if i tell you honestly aussis got the best team in all department and sometimes we all need little bit of luck to do any thing.good luck sl you boys will hold the cup for the second time.

Hey we can do this... get Hayden and Ponting and leave the rest to Murali, WE REALLY CAN DO THIS! common everyone who beleives this say it people "We can bloody well do this!!!" Man all you haters out there, your in for a shock! Sri Lanka to go all the Way! and thats no dream, that's a Promise!!!

Right boys,
Its time.

Sri Lanka Vs Australia

Im going to be realistic here.
I see this game either in a blaze of glory, or extremely one sided (Benefit: Australia)
Unfortunately for my fellow sri lankans, I just don't see Sanath Jayasuriya firing, with the bat at least. I have no doubt that he will keep things tight with the ball, and keep the team spirit up in the field.
The two top pace bowlers in the country, Chaminda Vaas and Lasith Malinga... they're more than the Sri Lankans could ever hope for. For our sake, i hope this isnt just a temporary early peak for Malinga, and i also hope he doesnt break down and become yet another 'what if' in this game we all hate to love.
The support may be a bit under more pressure more than they would like, but thats what you get for being good enough to get to the final.
I'm not even going to mention that man Murali, his own actions speak volumes more than what any of us could write.
The batting, i dont see anyone really getting a high score, though i do expect almost everyone to contribute a halfway decent score.
I sincerely hope to see Tharanga hit the way everyone expects Sanath to do, that would shut everyone up about how the end of Sanath would be the end of Sri Lanka ever winning a match.
Oh, and our fielding, that speaks for itself, though i do expect a few nerves which may cause some sloppyness... but its to be expected, so dont let your spirits drop with that.

As for the mighty Australians
The batting is pure genius.
Hayden, Ponting, Clarke, Symonds...
and then you have the batsman who even if are performing at a fraction of their full potential, would still be included in any country's first 11, such as Gilchrist and Hussey.
The bowlers, they may just leave us all speechless.
Mcgrath may be quite the aged fellow, but his abilities with the ball surpass the boundaries of space and time (meaning he could might as well be playing at home in Australia in his best physical years)
Then you have that Tait... Apparently in the same mould as Lasith Malinga, but i believe our batsman, if we van get through the first few overs unharmed, can see him through without too much drama
Bracken, how could i forget Bracken... Not only has he had an amzing world cup so far, has also played Sri Lanka amazingly throughout his entire career. No matter what others say about the other Australian strikers, i believe this is the man to watch out for.
Oh, then theres Hogg. Brilliant world cup, but i believe our batsman may be targeting him. That may result with him getting more than a few wickets, or an equally large amount of runs.

In the end, i believe that if Sri Lanka win, they'r