The longer the party goes, the more mental it becomes - as hosts prove

Sri Lanka stormed to a comprehensive victory over England, thereby setting up semi-finals to be played between the three top local sides and intruders from New Zealand convinced that their time has come. All four deserve their places. If an India-Sri Lanka final appears likeliest, it is only by a small margin.

Haddin handles Paine to build his legacy

ON RESULTS, Brad Haddin's return from elbow surgery has been mostly gloom: series losses to Sri Lanka in one-dayers, England in the Ashes and now the quarter-final World Cup elimination.

LETTERS

Gillard lumps all in the 'extreme' basket

Letters

Why was there no such will to help in Sri Lanka?

Lacklustre spin attack shows up our weakness

INDIA, England, Sri Lanka, New Zealand. Each has been an ODI opponent of Australia over the past year and each has batsmen capable of consistently clearing the boundary. None, however, were able to do so to the extent Kenya did on Sunday night in Bengaluru.

Cricket can conceal grim reality

Sri Lanka versus Zimbabwe was a happy occasion that belied certain truths.

Straightforward on the field, but it's never just about the cricket

SRI Lanka's convincing victory over the Zimbabweans in Pallekele indicated the state of play in both cricketing dispensations but said little about the countries themselves. At times, sport can conceal as much as it reveals. Here were two deeply traumatised nations playing a proud match in front of an exuberant crowd. It was a happy occasion.

Ranatunga is a wanted man - for higher office

ARJUNA RANATUNGA remains a hero in his country, and eventually might well run for the presidency. For now he is an opposition member of Parliament, a position almost as perilous hereabouts as writing critical articles (two years after the civil war ended, Sri Lanka remains the fourth most dangerous country for journalists). Last month, the World Cup-winning captain took part in a demonstration seeking the release of Opposition Leader Sarath Fonseka, the successful military leader who stood against the incumbents in the last election, only to be imprisoned in its aftermath. Now Ranatunga has an arrest warrant against him. At present, he is in India but the issue is expected to die down.

Australia to attack Malinga

AUSTRALIA's primary defence against the lethal yorkers of Lasith Malinga in today's pivotal World Cup match against Sri Lanka will be attack.

Australians looking to play square

THE progress of Australia's batsmen with their primary task for the World Cup ��� playing more horizontal-bat shots against spin ��� will be significantly tested on Saturday against Sri Lanka.

Ponting's men set to square up to tweakers

COLOMBO: The progress of Australia's batsmen against spin will be well and truly tested against Sri Lanka tomorrow.