GREAT TO SEE SRI LANKA ON THE UP AGAIN

IT was wonderful to see Sri Lanka become the first team to win a series over Pakistan in the UAE this week, and it looks as if they can become a real force in Test cricket.

They have had to overcome the retirements of Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Lasitha Malinga and Farveez Maharoof and there was a lot of talk about the country being on the decline after the thrashing India gave them a little while ago.

But then you think if England lost a core group of players there would have to be a bit of rebuilding, just like there was for Australia after Messrs McGrath, Warne, Gilchrist and Hayden all hung up their spikes.

The passion in Sri Lanka is off the chart and their love and knowledge of the game rivals India’s, so there’ll always be talent coming through.

Rangana Herath has starred for them in recent years and we saw Dilruwan Perera take 5-98 this week. These spin bowlers would be a challenge to anyone, and Sri Lanka still have the power to upset the odds in limited-overs cricket, too.