ICC CWC Man of the Series - Sanath Jayasuriya
Till 1996, Sri Lanka could always be expected to spring a surprise result at ICC Cricket World Cup events. But since their podium finish at the ICC Cricket World Cup in 1996, Sri Lanka's stocks have risen dramatically.
They have since made the semi-finals of an ICC Cricket World Cup once (2003) and ended runners-up in 2007 to a rampaging Australia.
One man, Sanath Jayasuriya's rise through the ranks has coincided with the upward curve in Sri Lanka's fortunes. And it all traces back to that crowning moment of Sri Lankan cricket on a heady night at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium in 1996.
In more ways than one Jayasuriya's daredevil approach at the ICC Cricket World Cup 1996 changed the way the world viewed Sri Lanka as a team.
He had the license to destroy attacks and scatter the bowlers around for the experienced middle-order of Arjuna Ranatunga, Aravinda de Silva and Asanka Gurusinha to take over calmly.
Till the 1996 event, Jayasuriya was seen as a handy left-arm spinner who could hit long. But a brainwave from Sri Lankan skipper Ranatunga and team coach Dav Whatmore, ensured that Jayasuriya would not be a footnote in cricket history.
It was a few months prior to the ICC Cricket World Cup 1996, Jayasuriya was asked to go beserk on a tour to Australia. From thereon, with wicketkeeper Romesh Kaluwitharna, Jayasuriya formed a hit pair which made the most of the fielding restrictions and rival teams scurried for cover.
Jayasuriya scored just two half-centuries in the tournament vs India: 79 (76b; 9x4, 2x6), vs England 82 (44b: 13x4 3x6). He totalled just 221 runs from six games at 36.82, but had an impressive strike rate of 131.54.
In terms of returns, De Silva (448), Ranatunga (241) and Gurusinha (307) were far ahead. But Jayasuriya's impact was bigger in the way he struck fear.
When it mattered most, in the semi-finals (1) against India and the final (9) against Australia, Jayasuriya drew blank with the bat. But then Jayasuriya turned his left-arm over effectively to trip both India (3-12) and Australia (1-43).
In the final analysis, Jayasuriya's seven wickets with his left-arm spin also proved handy in Sri Lanka emerging tournament champions.
Post the tournament Jayasuriya scored a triple hundred in Test cricket, captained Sri Lanka including at the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2003 and played a hand as the senior pro in the 2007 event.
Now, in the evening of his career, Jayasuriya is hoping for one final call to play his sixth ICC Cricket World Cup in February 2011.
Irrespective of whether he gets that call, Jayasuriya will forever be remembered for his performances at the 1996 event.