None of the three other sub-continent sides can match an impressive record of Mahela Jayawardene's Sri Lankans, who won more than 50 percent of their one-day internationals in 2006.
That included a rare 5-0 whitewash in England and a shared series in New Zealand.
Those results underline the fact that Sri Lanka will not be a soft side in the one-day extravaganza although they would have received a wake-up call by their 2-1 defeat in India earlier this month.
It is a nice blend of experience and youth that has made Sri Lanka a team to watch out for in the tournament, especially under Australian coach Tom Moody who knows a thing or two about World Cup having figured in three editions.
Sri Lanka's strength still is batting but their bowling has improved considerably recently, with Lasith Malinga capable of doing unpredictable things with the new ball.
They were always considered a two-bowler team of left-arm paceman Chaminda Vaas and ace off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan who have a to