(Member of 1983 World Cup winning team)

It was not a thriller but it did exhibit some quality cricket as Mahela Jayawardene's class and the intrigue that marks Muttiah Muralitharan's mastery with the ball stood out in Sri Lanka's emphatic demonstration of consistency and desire to win the major battles.

In demolishing New Zealand with a thumping margin, Sri Lanka only reconfirmed their status as a leading force in world cricket.

The hallmark of a great team is their ability to cope with a challenge and Sri Lanka displayed once again the untiring resolve that has been built on the combined efforts of seniors who know the stage to excel on and the juniors who add to the strength of the team.

It was Jayawardene's match all through. I admire his tenacity. He knew it was a crunch game and he knew he had not been at his best with the bat but he brushed aside all the shortcomings and came out a worthy winner.

It was a severe test of his leadership qualities and he led from the front. It was a shining example for all captains to emulate.

The Sri Lankan response to New Zealand was typical of the team's overall strength. Each player had a role assigned and it was enacted with perfection. True, Sanath Jayasuriya did not explode but then you can't always have your way.

What I liked about Sri Lanka most was the discipline they brought to their job. The start was shaky but what mattered was the glorious end.

Jayawardene made the first move by electing to bat. It was a brave decision but it also reflected on his cricketing acumen because he read the pitch so well.

Even the groundsman had suggested batting first would not be ideal but Jayawardene had his plans in place. He won the toss, batted and took over the responsibility after the early dents. Let me make it clear that the two early dents were not caused by some spectacular bowling but lapse of concentration as the batsmen tried to attack and seize the initiative.

Sri Lanka's strategy was well crafted. Bat first and create pressure. It was a positive move because Jayawardene was able to exploit the pressure that New Zealand experienced once it was set a target of 290.

Sri Lanka had won most matches by setting targets and this was only on expected lines.

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