INSPIRED SKIPPER: Mahela Jayawardene has blossomed as a leader and guided Sri Lanka with dedication and purpose. — Photo: AP

Kingston: Through the World Cup, Mahela Jayawardene has worn the air of man who recognises his moment. He sees it for it is and, though nervous, is excited about challenging himself.

It isn't as glib as it sounds: even the greatest have felt helpless, unsure why unstinting preparation and indubitable skill aren't enough some days.

When Ricky Ponting says the session with Olympic champion Steve Redgrave helped because it was reassuring, one gets a sense of the insecurities elite athletes deal with.

When Daryl Cullinan says cricket is a game of failure because a Test average of 50 — the standard for excellence — is no more than affirmation of the failure to reach 100 enough times, one suspects a flagellating sensitivity is at work.

Finding his stage

But, roughly a month from his 30th birthday, Jayawardene has found his stage. All that has gone before this — the turnaround in England, the self-realisation against South Africa, the setback at the Champions Trophy — are surely part of the grand narrative.

"I have become mentally stronger over the last few months," said Jayawardene, calm, lilting, and clear. A smile is never far from his lips, and even journalists inclined to grovel insincerely have been shamed into spurts of honesty.

The period Jayawardene refers to has featured a century at Lords' to save a Test with Sri Lanka following on, another at home to defeat South Africa by one wicket, one-day centuries against England, and 374 against South Africa; also an early exit at the Champions Trophy Sri Lanka entered favourite and a form slump leading in to the World Cup.

The full gamut, almost providence the way it was strung together, and ideal for revealing character. A resplendent revelation it has been.

Jayawardene, remember, was bracketed with Carl Hooper and Mark Waugh: easy on the eye, but lacking in the desire for blood and glory. All three were allegedly satisfied to coast on their exceptional ball skills.

Captaincy factor

What does Jayawardene attribute the change to? Being made captain last year?

"Captaincy has certainly played a part," said Jayawardene. "But, Tom (Moody) has pushed me to the limits. He's not happy when I'm coasting — he's not happy with anyone coasting for that matter — but he pushed me, and I found I could push myself further."

It is ever thus: nothing is possible without awareness. Jayawardene, in his press conferences, has seemed keenly aware of where he comes from, and where he'd like to be. While he hasn't quoted Pink Floyd again, he has spoken of Sri Lanka's past with reverence.

Trend-setters

"The '96 group changed the course of Sri Lankan cricket," he said of Arjuna Ranatunga's Cup-winning side. "They paved the way for us to follow. Before '96 cricket was an amateur sport. The guys used to work in offices and come practice after 5 in the evening. Those guys did the hard work for us to come through. We are working hard so the next generation can take over. It can work when everyone is committed to success."

Jayawardene's moment approaches. His unbeaten 115 in the semifinal against New Zealand has drawn references to Aravinda de Silva. While the similarity doesn't extend to stroke production save perhaps in their balance, both men have made similar transitions. Their career records aren't dissimilar.

De Silva, with two defining innings in final stages of the 1996 World Cup, did what few can lay claim to: he reached out to greatness under the most severe pressure.

As captain, Jayawardene can do one better in Bridgetown on Saturday.

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