Lasith Malinga Sri Lanka Kusal Perera
Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga will hold the key in their bowling department.

With the ICC World Cup set to kick start in Australia and New Zealand in a week's time, all cricket nations participating in the competition just have one single agenda on their minds -- win the prestigious trophy.

The Sri Lankan government seems to be more than eager for the trophy to be won by the nation, as it has announced a bonus of $US1 million to the national team, if they manage to win the World Cup.

Sri Lanka won the title in the 1996 edition, where they defeated Australia in the finals of the competition. A similar performance would witness players earning extra moolah from the government.

"We have decided to offer this money to be shared among the team as an incentive for them to bring the World Cup," government spokesman Rajitha Senaratne told reporters.

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Since their World Cup triumph in 1996, a lot has changed. But Sri Lanka with their talent can never be under estimated, for they are capable of defeating any team in the competition.

The members of the world cup team, after their win during the time received duty free cars, houses, land etc.

Though, the Lankans might not come into the tournament with huge wins under their belt as they struggled against New Zealand, it would be wrong to count them out for the major competition without even a single ball being bowled.

One has to remember that Sri Lanka were not one of the favourites before the 1996 World Cup as well.

Sri Lanka is one of the most under rated teams in world cricket, where people fail to realise that the team, which won the 1996 World Cup also finished runners up in the last two editions of the competition.

In 2007, they lost to Australia in the finals, while it was hosts India who defeated them in the 2011 World Cup to clinch the title.

So, these records suggest that they have been performing consistently in the mega cricket event.

With players such as Angelo Matthews, Tilakratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara , Thisara Perera and Lasith Malinga, they have one of the most balanced side in the competition.

In Dilshan, Jayawardene and Sangakkara, they have three of the best batsmen of world cricket, who can win matches on their own.