The Lankans are highly respected here for their one-day exploits and now that they have conceded the two tests to the Proteas they will have to play in top form to retain their standing as the best team in the 'cowboy game'.
Being the World Cup champions, the Lankans must pull out all stops and endeavour to remain that way. Not to win this one-day tourney could be a calamity. That is the problem facing the Lankans and it will be interesting to see how they will perform.
In the meantime the South Africans have announced their squad for the triangular. Although they have pencilled in Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock, it is unlikely that the pace duo will play a major part, unless the team is in danger of tumbling out of the tourney.
With a five-test series in England soon, the selectors do not want to risk Donald and Pollock, who are nursing injuries. To continue to bowl them would mean to risk them to further injury. With their bowling cupboard half full, further injury to them would mean missing the England tour.
The triangular will see one of the best fielders in the world Jonty Rhodes. He has been unfortunate not to be in the test line up. Also recalled are tried and proved players Herschelle Gibbs, Lance Klusner, Pat Symcox and Derek Crookes.
The SA squad: H.Cronje (C), G. Kirsten, D. Cullinan, J. Kallis, J. Rhodes, M. Rindel, H. Gibbs, S. Pollock, M. Boucher, L. Klusner, P.Symcox, A. Donald, D.Crookes, R. Telemachus and S. Elworthy.
According to chairman of selectors Peter Pollock paceman Donald will be vital if they reach the final. Until then it is an opportunity for others to come good, Pollock explained. Anyway the selectors have left it to Donald and Pollock to decide whether to play or not.
Roger Telemachus a coloured player who did well against the Lankans in their game in Boland has been included. He was picked for the tour of Australia but failed a last minute fitness test and could not make it. He is a fine medium pacer able to swing the ball both ways.
Other players interesting to watch in the SA squad are - Steve Elworth and Mike Rindel Elworthy is a hard hitting batsman, while Rindel is a fast scoring opening batsman.
When these three teams previously played in a triangular in Kenya, South Africa won the tourney beating Pakistan in the final.
The Lankans now that they have been shamed in the Tests will be determined to fire all cylinders and take with them the triangular trophy.
Skipper Ranatunga is confident and so are all members of the squad. One has nothing but sympathy for Skipper Ranatunga. With only one bowler of Test class in Muralidaran with him, he is expected to perform wonders. How that could be done only those in charge of making was the best test playing nation in the world in the year 2000 can only explain.