Jayasuriya remains Sri Lanka's most potent weapon

COLOMBO, Feb 22 (Reuters) Sanath Jayasuriya may be a balding, 37-years-old and about to play in his fifth World Cup, but he remains Sri Lanka's most valuable asset in the Caribbean.

The flamboyant left-handed opener starts the tournament in the form of his life after plundering scoring five centuries and plundering 1,153 runs at an average of 48.04 last year.

Widely credited with having revolutionised the limited overs game with his aggressive ''pinch-hitting'' in the 1996 World Cup, Jayasuriya gives Sri Lanka's batting a dangerous destructive potential.

His immense value to a strong Sri Lanka side is enhanced by his wily left-arm spin, which has claimed 285 wickets at 36.86 during a 379-match career.

With pitches in the Caribbean expected to be slow in pace and receptive to spin, his left-armers are expected to play a crucial role in balancing the team and providing a dependable option during tense run chases.

From humble beginnings (he is the son of a lowly paid urban councillor from the southern fishing town of Matara) his cricketing exploits have made him one of Sri Lanka's most-loved celebrities.

His face adorns advertising billboards throughout the island and his mass appeal has led some observers to predict he will pursue a career in politics when he finally retires.

Some critics had written him off after multiple dislocations his shoulder in 2004 and 2005 forced him in and out of the side.

But according to skipper Mahela Jayawardene he remains one of the fittest members of the team.

''Sanath had some injury problems but he has worked incredibly hard on his fitness and he travels to the World Cup in peak physical condition,'' Jayawardene said.

''People keep talking about his age but he keeps performing and remains our most important match-winner.'' Although there has been speculation that he will retire after the World Cup, pace bowler Chaminda Vaas believes Jayasuriya may play into his 40's.

''He is in such good shape that he can play on for another couple of years,'' Vaas told reporters.

Jayasuriya is already the third highest run scorer in one-day international history with 15,538 runs at 32.87 including 23 centuries and 62 fifties.

Reuters AY DB0944