Who would have thought when the VB series started that Sri Lanka would be 1-0 ahead in the finals with run outs galore courtesy Tillekaratne Dilshan. It was surprising enough when they reached the finals.

Malinga Bandara ensured Sri Lanka and not South Africa will face Australia in the best of three VB series finals. South Africa needed one win in their last three matches but lost 2 matches versus Australia and now the match to Sri Lanka.

Australia will not have McGrath. Sri Lanka have Murali, Vaas and now Bandara appears as if he can become a factor. In 1995-96 Sri Lanka gained a lot as a team in their tour to Australia. After a depressive run of recent results, the VB series here is having a similar impact.