Sri Lanka out to prove their newfound spirit

Sri Lanka's fickle fans are just starting to emerge from their 2003 World Cup depression. Their place in the semi-finals might have been celebrated a decade before, but expectations are so high nowadays that their last four knockouts in that tournament prompted finger-pointing rather than an outpouring of national joy. But, almost out of the blue, there is a sense that the team is rising once more after a revitalised showing in the Asia Cup. A final against India, the pre-tournament favourites, but the world's most accomplished side at losing finals, provides the perfect opportunity for Marvan Atapattu's team to confirm their newfound spirit and confidence.

However, whether they win or lose, a corner has definitely been turned. Sri Lanka's mauling by Australia in Test cricket this year, in which they lost four out of five Tests, prompted a major bout of soul searching within the team and a complete re-think of their approach and attitude, the results of which are just starting to filter through. After Atapattu was handed the Test and one-day captaincy, ending Hashan Tillakaratne's pointless and intolerably defensive tenure, the team has pulled tighter together. Just as importantly, there has been a new emphasis upon personal responsibility and the encouragement of a more relaxed and fun squad atmosphere.

The change began in Zimbabwe and continued throughout a short tour to Australia. By the time the Asia Cup had arrived, self-belief was starting to grow. The 12-run victory against India at Dambulla, a match that was technically irrelevant, but psychologically crucial, really jumpstarted the process. For the first time in a long while, all three departments of the game have started to work in unison. Despite a debilitating flu bug that has swept through the squad, the team has looked sharp and energetic. They may have lost to India in the final group game, but they came within a whisker of their best run chase at Premadasa.

"This was a big tournament for us, with expectations very high, but the players have risen to the occasion," Atapattu told journalists as the team started their final net session. We have had special individual performances in the past couple of years, but as a team I think this is one of the best periods we have had for a while. The way that we have been playing since the Australia tour is great and I see a difference in approach and a special keenness from the players. Hopefully we can now end on a good note."

Sri Lanka certainly come into the match with history on their side: they won the previous two Asia Cups held in Sri Lanka, in 1986 under Duleep Mendis and in 1997 under Arjuna Ranatunga, and they have won seven out of 11 finals played in Sri Lanka. They can also take confidence from a formidable record at home with a win ratio of 78% in all one-dayers since their World Cup win in 1996.

But Sri Lanka also know that winning the toss tomorrow could prove crucial. Chasing large totals at Premadasa under lights is extremely difficult, firstly because the new ball can dance around in the early evening humidity, and secondly because the ball often turns extravagantly in the final overs. There is a long list of teams who have been cruising happily home only to lose wickets and collapse in a heap at the death. Statistics say that the side batting first has won 25 out of the 39 day-night matches played there. Atapattu, although quick to point out that chasing is not impossible, admitted "any captain would want to win the toss at Premadasa".

But Sri Lanka's confidence is such at the moment that fears about chasing will not prompt them to play an extra batsman at No. 7. Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan will both return at the expense of Saman Jayantha and Lasith Malinga. That leaves them with six specialist batsmen and then three allrounders: Upul Chandana, Farveez Maharoof and Vaas. Atapattu is then left with six frontline bowlers and plenty of variety in which to restrict India's formidable top order.

It all stacks for a memorable occasion and a bright end to what has been so far a low-key tournament. Part of the blame for that falls at the feet of the organisers who made a gross misjudgement with their scandalously expensive ticket prices (the price of an upper tier seat in the second round was 2000 rupees, equivalent to approximately one week's wages for someone on average income). But it also reflected the public's low hopes of their team. Now, though, that has all changed and for the final, at least, all the tickets have been snapped up - a testament in itself to Sri Lanka's revival.