Lankans pad up to defend their turf

Colombo: Sri Lanka are looking to extend their impressive limited-overs home record on Monday when they face South Africa in the tri-series tournament.

Fresh from their 5-0 drubbing of England, Sri Lanka are eager to wipe out the unpleasant memory of the earlier 2-0 loss at home against Pakistan in 2005-06.

Sri Lanka have been virtually unbeatable in home limited-overs competitions over the past decade, with the exception of their loss to Pakistan, a 3-2 defeat to Australia in 2004 and the dismal show of 2003 when the side failed to qualify for the final of a tri-series that New Zealand won by beating Pakistan.

The Mahela Jayawardene-led Sri Lankan team have been boosted by their recent 2-0 Test series triumph against the injury-hit South Africans, who are still ranked No 2 behind world champions Australia in the ICC's One-Day rankings.

India's 4-1 loss to the West Indies on their recent tour of the Caribbean dropped them to the No 4 spot, while Sri Lanka is placed sixth in the standings, but the Sri Lankans are formidable in home conditions.

Jayawardene says he expects a tough contest from South Africa and India, who thrashed Sri Lanka 6-1 when they hosted their neighbour last year.

"We've been playing very good cricket, but this is going to be a tough series," said Jayawardene. "Winning is about doing the right things."

Sri Lankan cricketers spoilt Rahul Dravid's first overseas sojourn as India captain last year, beating the Indians in the tri-series final at Premadasa Stadium, which will host the first match of this competition.

India have failed to win a limited-overs tournament final in Sri Lanka since its 1998 triumph in the Independence Cup.

The higher-ranked team have finished second best to Sri Lanka in several One-Day competitions since then.

In 2002, India and Sri Lanka shared the Champions Trophy after the final was washed out on two successive days.

But Sri Lanka asserted their home supremacy against India in the title contest of the 2004 Asia Cup and a tri-series in 2005.

Dravid promised to make amends this time, asserting that his team had been playing well since last year.

India's runaway wins against Sri Lanka at home and on the tour of Pakistan underscored their growing One-Day strength, but the team's pride was dented by the defeat inflicted on them by the West Indies.

Dravid asserted the return of star batsman Sachin Tendulkar would help in the reversal of India's fortunes.

Tendulkar, One-Day cricket's highest run-scorer, returns to the team after several months following a shoulder surgery.

"Tendulkar's presence contributes a lot to the team, and it's not just his batting that makes a difference," Dravid said.

South Africa are hampered by the absence of two top players, Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis due to injuries that forced them to skip the tour.

"It's a huge challenge, but it provides a chance to some of our youngsters," said South Africa coach Micky Arthur.

Sri Lanka can afford the luxury of not rushing the return of former skipper Marvan Atapattu, who has returned to the squad after surgery that kept him out of the tour to England and the recent Tests against South Africa.

"Marvan's coming back from a major operation, so we don't want to rush him," said Jayawardene.

The Sri Lankan organisers are hoping the tri-series isn't hampered by monsoon rain, which has left the grounds damp.