Sri Lanka looking like champions

The clincial fashion in which they coasted through a tricky group all adds to the aura that is enveloping a team that believes they can become World Champions.

They may play the game with massive smiles on their faces, but there is a steely determination around the team, which was in evident abundance during the opening throes of their campaign.

They started out by beating the Bermuda by a mammoth margin of 243 runs, and then they crushed fellow Super Eight qualifiers Bangladesh by 198 runs.

To put the icing on the qualifying cake, they knocked out India with relative ease - 69 runs the final victory margin.

Sanath Jayasuriya is still flaying the best attacks in the world at the top of the order, and he is ably assisted by some more stunning stroke-makers in Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.

The best spinner in the world - Muttiah Muralitharan - is thriving on the slow wickets of the Caribbean, and Lasith Malinga is my tip to be leading wicket-taker come the end of the competition.

Malinga gets openers out early, comes back mid-innings to remove any stubborn obstacles and is the perfect bowler at the death with his ability to bowl quick, accurate and with venomous variation.

And, they are doing all this against a backdrop of civil war back home, which is gradually getting worse again following the breakdown of a ceasefire.

Of the rest, West Indies have impressed me with their 100 per cent record and they also have the basis of a good team.

Australia looked in ominous form when plundering the South African attack for 377 runs, while New Zealand's chances lessen by the day with a crippling injury list threatening to de-rail their challenge.

England have barely spluttered to life yet, but they can never be discounted once Kevin Pietersen gets going. However, their bowling looks fragile.

One thing's for sure, the quality of the cricket on offer is set to step up a gear! Enjoy!