Will Lanka bring cup back to sub-continent

Undated, Apr 27 (UNI) Since India won the title in 1983 under Kapil Dev, save for 1987 edition, a sub-continent team has always featured in the finals of this premier event.

This time even before the real action began, one of the favourites and last time runners-up India and another Asian giant Pakistan crashed out at the preliminary stage itself.

But the Lankans, buoyed by their victory over India in the league, played meticulously to enter the final and in the process ensured a team from the sub-continent was there to take on the mighty Aussies, who would be looking for a hat-trick, a feat not achieved by any nation so far.

It would also be a personal milestone for Ricky Ponting, who would be emulating his former West Indian counterpart Clive Lloyd, as the only captain to win back to back World Cup titles.

In a clash between reigning and former champions, will the roaring lions from Sri Lanka emulate Arjuna Ranatunga's dare devilry in 1996 and stop the Australian juggernaut from winning the World Cup for a record fourth time in World Cup history? Tomorrow's final between the Lions from the sub-continent and the Kangaroos from the Down Under at Kensington Oval in Barbados promises for a mouth-watering showdown as both Mahela Jayawardane and Ricky Ponting will be chasing a dream.

While the Lankans are in the final for the second time after their triumph in 1996, the Aussies are in the summit clash for the sixth time, this being their fourth successive final.

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