NOTTINGHAM: Sri Lanka and the West Indies will enjoy a contest without pressure when they clash in their last group C league match of the World Twenty20 here today.

What should have been a virtual knock-out game in the group will hold nothing more than academic interest after both teams knocked mighty Australia out of the tournament.

“This was the only group that had three Test-playing nations in it, so to come out it pretty well is a huge bonus,” said Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara.

“Both the West Indies and us have made the Super Eights, so the pressure will no doubt be a bit less. But international cricket is serious business, there is no question of taking it easy.”

Sangakkara said Ajantha Mendis’s success against Australia, where he took 3-20 in four overs, bode well for his team and he expected the mystery spinner to play a major role in the tournament.

“In a Twenty20 game, where you have to attack almost every ball you play, to have unpredictability, that mystery around him is good,” the captain said. “Batsmen will get on top of him on some days, but more often than not, he is a wicket-taking bowler, an attacking bowler.” Mendis turns the ball both ways with one visible action, making it difficult for batsmen to read him in the air.

Mahela Jayawardene, Sangakkara’s predecessor as captain, said today’s game was crucial for both teams.

“No one wants to lose a winning streak. This game will help us get into the rhythm for the Super Eights contests.”

Jayawardene conceded Gayle was the major threat and Sri Lanka’s bowlers were working on a plan to get him early.

The West Indies are being hailed as one of the most dangerous teams in the competition despite being hammered 2-0 in the preceding Test series by England.

They now get a chance to make a mark in a tournament where they were dumped in the first round in the inaugural event in 2007 after losing to Bangladesh.

“We know we have a team that can beat the best, but in Twenty20 it all depends on how one plays on a given day,” said Gayle.

“We take it one match at a time. We definitely want to beat Sri Lanka which will raise the team’s confidence for the Super Eights.”