Cricket, a way of life By Dinesh WEERAWANSA Cricket has always been a great passion in the subcontinent. It is not only a passion but also a way of life for most people in South Asia. This is true for Sri Lanka as well. Even those who are not associated with sports show a keen interest at least to get the latest scores whenever the national team figures in a One Day international or a Test match. Irrespective of the people's affiliation to sports or their positions in society, they would like to get updated with the latest scores whenever the Sri Lankan team is in action. "What's the score?" is the commonly asked question whenever the Sri Lanka team is playing an ODI or Test match. Be it in the capital Colombo or a remote town such as Tissamaharama one could experience the same enthusiasm for this great game introduced by the British. Irrespective of their social, religious and ethnic backgrounds, people from all walks of life join hands to enjoy the excitement of the gentlemen's game, proving that sports is a great leveller. The ICC World Cup, which comes once in four years, is considered the cricketing Olympics. It is the time that cricket fever hits its peak in this part of the world, even surpassing the enthusiasm that is generated at the birthplace of cricket. Naturally, when the World Cup in cricket returns to the subcontinent, the passion for this game would multiply for billions in the audience, both in an away from the grounds. This is the third time that the ICC World Cup is coming to the subcontinent after India and Pakistan jointly hosted it in 1987 and India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka jointly hosted the 1996 edition. Of course, Sri Lanka enjoyed the sweet taste of success in its three-and-a-half decade long World Cup history in 1996. It was on March 17, 1996 that Sri Lanka conquered the Mount Everest of cricket when they beat Australia by seven wickets in the final to win the World Cup. It was that blistering century by Aravinda de Silva, the present chairman of selectors, that paved the way for a smashing Sri Lankan victory, making Australia eat humble pie at Lahore's Gadaffi Stadium. It was the most cherished moment in Sri Lanka's cricket history when Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga received the glittering World Cup from the then Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. During the 1996 World Cup tournament, Sri Lanka invented the art of pinch hitting. That took the world by surprise as Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana were simply unstoppable, hitting bowlers to all corners of the grounds during the first 15 overs. Until then, the opening batsmen had hardly gone after the bowling and had opted for slow and steady starts. But the Lankan opening duo made the best use of fielding restrictions in the first 15 overs to inject a new batting culture to limited overs cricket. Their 'invention' ultimately paved the way for Twenty20 cricket to become a reality at an international level. Sri Lanka not only introduced pinch hitting to the cricketing world to win the precious gift in World Cricket but also produced the Most Valuable Player of the tournament at the 1996 World Cup when master blaster Sanath Jayasuriya achieved that rare honour. Unfortunately, he won't be there this time around due to a selection blunder better known to the national selectors. Nevertheless, Kumar Sangakkara and his Sri Lankan brigade are roaring to produce that champion cricket team once more and give Sri Lanka the glory of the World Cup after 15 long years. All Sri Lankans, irrespective of ethnic or political affiliations, would rally round Sangakkara and his men who are well set to win the World Cup once more. Go Lanka go!