England In Sri Lanka : A big test for the English

Both sides are gearing up for the all-important world cup

The most critical phase of cricket is in it's penultimate stage. With the world cup less than 100 days away, every team is on the move to prepare it's BIGGEST players for the BIGGEST stage of the game - after all, world cup is where every mistake actually counts..

England has had a troublesome last few months to it's name. With the horrific Ashes loss down under, the aftermath of Petersen saga and the loss to the Sri Lankans - which frankly has hit them the most, after all who thought that Sri Lanka would conquer it's first series win in England against an English unit which was labelled the "next generation of England cricketers", surely the Sri Lankan team left ECB wondering whether this actually is the bunch of cricketers that will take the team forward.

Having said all that, now is the time for the English to really show that they've changed for the better in the months that they've had to rest - whereas all other international teams have had tight schedules, English team got the much deserved break to relax and look upon it's mistakes.

Coming to the 7 match ODI series which begins off today with it's 1st ODI, England vs Sri Lanka - it'll be a fierce battle of strength and composure for the English side. It's no alien fact that English team has had it's problems playing spin god knows for how long and it's not something that ONLY the current lot of cricketers have had problems with. Facing likes of Randiv, Mendis duo, Herath and to some extend Dilshan wont be easy.

For all it's worth, I feel that if England can put up a good show in Sri lanka and move to Australia for the triangular series between Australia-India-England, they'd be hugely boosted going into the world cup.

The favorites for this series is without doubt Sri Lanka but can England really turn the tables around and make a statement to the world cricket i.e. be ready, we're ready to seize our first world cup!