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Gros Islet: Kumar Sangakkara was giving little away when asked if he would unleash mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis against England in the World Twenty20 semifinal.
Mendis was missing from the Sri Lanka side that beat India by five wickets at the Beausejour Stadium here on Tuesday to book their place in Thursday's knockout match.
England's new-found consistency will be pitted against Sri Lanka's characteristic flair when the two teams clash in the first semifinal of the Twenty20 World Cup on Thursday.
England's display in the tournament has been a revelation of sorts with Paul Collingwood and his men winning all three Super Eight stage matches with consummate ease.
With their maverick top order batsman Kevin Pietersen returning to the ranks after a brief break to watch the birth of his first child, England's batting order would have a formidable look about it.
Pietersen has been in sensational form but even without him, England hardly broke a sweat as they upended New Zealand to prove that they don't rely on an individual or two to see them through.
In Craig Kieswetter and Michael Lumb, England have an opening pair which scores at a brisk rate and with Pietersen, set to return at Ravi Bopara's expense, and Collingwood to follow, their batting line-up is quite capable of laying the foundation for a big total.
In the middle order, the exciting Eoin Morgan, Luke Wright and all-rounder Tim Bresnan have the penchant to assert themselves early which suits the team.
Their bowling department also has the necessary variety. Bresnan and his new-ball colleague Ryan Sidebottom have more often than not given the early breakthrough while Stuart Broad has been among the wickets as well.
In the slow bowling department, Michael Yardy has been parsimony personified while Graeme Swann has struck regularly.
Unlike England, consistency has not been Sri Lanka's strong point in the tournament and even after beating India, they had to wait for an Australian triumph over the West Indies before a semifinal berth could be theirs.
The islanders, however, would take heart from their success against India, especially with Tillakaratne Dilshan returning to form and youngsters like Angelo Matthews and Chamara Kapugedera coming to the party.
Captain Kumar Sangakkara also looked in fine touch against India and he would hope Mahela Jayawardene, who had a brilliant run in the tournament before it was punctuated by two poor outings, to hit form on Thursday.
In Lasith Malinga, Thissara Perera and Angelo Mathews, they have quite a potent attack and Sangakkara would expect them to trouble the English batsmen Thursday.
Sri Lanka, last year's losing finalists, face an England side who have confounded their mediocre reputation in Twenty20 cricket by reaching the last four in the Caribbean.
Team news
England Kevin Pietersen returns just in time after seeing the birth of his first child and will replace Ravi Bopara. Throughout the tournament Ryan Sidebottom has looked set to miss out for England's supposed attack-leader, James Anderson, but the selectors have refused to change.
Squad from Paul Collingwood (C), Michael Lumb, Craig Kieswetter (WK), Kevin Pietersen, Luke Wright, Eoin Morgan, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Ajmal Shahzad, Ryan Sidebottom, Graeme Swann, James Tredwell, Michael Yardy, James Anderson.
Sri Lanka have been far less settled through the tournament so far. Mendis missed out against India but could return for an England side less used to him.
Squad from Kumar Sangakkara (C & WK), Mahela Jayawardene, Sanath Jayasuriya, Dinesh Chandimal, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chinthaka Jayasinghe, Suraj Randiv, Chamara Kapugedera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, Ajantha Mendis, Thissara Perera, Chanaka Welegedara, Thilan Thushara
Pitch and conditions
England may have adapted well to the conditions against New Zealand in their last game, but the slow and low surface in St Lucia will suit Sri Lanka. Their batsmen proved a touch shy of the pace and bounce in Barbados but will be much more comfortable here.
Stats and trivia
Match facts
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Start time 11:30 local (15:30 GMT)
