SANATH JAYASURIYA

Age: 37

Position:All-rounder

ODIs379

Runs: 11,538

Average: 32.87

Wickets: 285

Economy rate: 4.76

Comment: Jayasuriya changed the face of limited-overs cricket in 1996 when Sri Lanka won the World Cup with his explosive pinch-hitting in the first 15 overs with the fielding restrictions in place. On his day he is regarded as one of the most exciting batsmen to watch in world cricket and can hit the ball harder and further than almost anyone. Only the fourth batsman to reach 10,000 runs in ODIs. Also bowls very useful left-arm spin. Decided to retire last year but almost immediately reversed that decision and will most likely open the batting for one of the tournament favourites once again.

MUTTIAH MURALITHARAN

Age: 34

Position: Off-spinner

DIsmissals: 287

Runs: 448

Average 5.80

Wickets: 432

Economy rate: 3.83

Comment: The best spin bowler currently playing international cricket and but for the controversy over his action, arguably the greatest ever along perhaps with the recently retired Shane Warne. Combines prodigious spin in both directions with an unrelenting accuracy, and is one of the few bowlers in ODI cricket with an economy rate of under four runs an over. In a tournament where spinners are expected to play a big part, it would be no surprise if Murali emerges with his already phenomenal reputation even further enhanced.

CHAMINDA VAAS

Age: 33

Position: Left-arm seamer

ODIs: 28

Runs: 1,876

Average: 14

Wickets: 370

Economy rate:20

Comment: The most attacking and penetrative opening bowler Sri Lanka have ever had. What he lacks in express pace he more than makes up for in swing, variation and control. Considering he plays most of his cricket on the notoriously flat wickets of Sri Lanka, he has had a quite staggering career while his ability to reverse swing the ball in recent years has made the left-armer even more potent as a wicket-taking force. Getting on a bit now and very much in the twilight of his career, but still a major threat — particularly on the slow and low surfaces of the Caribbean.

LASITH MALINGA

Age: 23

Position: Fast bowler

ODIs: 28

Runs: 44

Average: 8.80

Wickets: 39

Economy rate: 4.78

Comment: Malinga is regarded a raw, lightning fast quick bowler with bags of potential. His slingy action, in which he lets go of the ball from around shoulder height, has earned him the nickname “Slinga Malinga”. Can reach speeds in excess of 90 miles-an-hour, though has had problems with accuracy and no balls. Capable of bowling extremely quick, swinging yorkers, many believe that once he becomes more controlled he will develop into an extremely effective seamer in both the long and short forms of the game.

MAHELA JAYAWARDENE

Age: 29

Position: Batsman

ODIs: 236

Runs: 6,185

Average: 31.71

Wickets: 7

Economy rate: 5.69

Comment: An elegant and technically superb right-hander, the Sri Lanka captain’s game is more suited to Test cricket, where he average nearly 50. Can still play a major part in ODIs, however, and is renowned for his natural timing and ability to pierce the gaps. A quiet and thoughtful captain, he is nonetheless fiercely competitive on the field and is not known to shirk an opportunity for a little verbal jousting with the opposition. On wickets that are fairly similar to those of the sub-continent, Jayawardene is expected to have an excellent tournament with the willow.

KUMAR SANGAKKARA

Age: 29

Position: Wicket-keeper-batsman

ODIs: 189

Run 5,476

Average: 36.26

Catches: 198

Stumpings: 16

Comment: Rivals Australia’s Adam Gilchrist for the title of best wicket-keeper batsman in the world. A superb stroke-maker who has scored mountains of runs in both Test and ODIs. His glovework is exemplary and he has developed an extremely effective partnership with Sri Lanka’s assassin-in-chief Muttiah Muralitharan. Is known for his sharp-tongue and competitive instinct, and of all the team’s players, is the one who would be most likely be heard sledging opposition batsmen. Training to be a lawyer in between cricket tours.