Quintus de Zylva (Sri Lanka Cricket Foundation of Victoria )

Chaminda Vaas , Muthiah Muralidharan , Lasith Malinga and Dilhara Fernando

now spearhead a rejuvenated Sri Lanka bowling combination that has instilled fear in to the opposition. This quartet of top class bowlers made sure that Sri Lanka would defeat England overnight even though the Sri Lankan batsmen were disappointing in the 200 plus run chase they set England.

The old work horse of Chaminda Vaas sets the scene with a wicket or two in the opening few overs ably supported by the fearsome pace of Lasith Malinga and his pin-point accuracy. His hair style and sling action have had batsman not knowing from which direction the next ball is coming from. Four wickets in four balls almost turned a certain defeat in to a memorable win the other night and then early this morning, Dilhara Fernando displayed calmness and maturity far in excess of his years when he skittled the stumps with the last ball of the match when just three runs were needed by England off the last ball.

Muthiah Muralidharan continues to mesmerize batsmen with his spin bowling 

whilst Sanath Jayasuriya and Tillekeratne Dilshan play a supporting role when needed.

How things have changed for Sri Lanka. It wasn't long ago that their batsmen were the envy of the cricketing world and their bowlers were pathetically inadequate to force a win. Today, it's their bowlers that dictate the terms of any encounter and instill a sense of anything being possible – even if it means rewriting the record books with four wickets in four balls.

The Craddock's and Bedi's of this world must surely be hiding their heads in the sand when they see Sri Lanka's bowling line up pulverize the opposition with pace and spin. Ian Botham has predicted that the World Cup final will be between Australia and Sri Lanka. And the Sri Lanka side are playing so well that the money must certainly be on them.

Tom Moody has moulded the Sri Lankan side in to a well knit band of youth and experience. Their fielding has been a treat to watch and their fitness has seen them come through so far with no injuries of note. Dilhara and Murali have both been in Melbourne nursing serious injuries in the past but they are now fit and rejuvenated and take pride in performing to their absolute best.

Bring on the Aussies – we can't wait any longer!