Australia, Sri Lanka face off in marquee clash

Ponting wary of Malinga threat in key match.

COLOMBO:

Australian captain Ricky Ponting expects Sri Lanka to come out firing and give them the first severe test of their World Cup credentials when the two teams meet each other in Colombo today.

“We haven’t really been pushed too much yet,” admitted Ponting who was also wary of the threat posed by Sri Lankan spearhead Lasith Malinga. “Malinga had a great game the other day and he’s in pretty good form. He was one of our main focuses in the team meeting. We talked about the right way to play him.”

The right-hander expected Sri Lanka to be determined to win, terming them a “well-skilled and well-drilled team” before placing his trust in his teammates to get the job done.

“I don’t care who we’re playing or where we’re playing, if we get out bowlers to perform, it’s going to be hard work to bat against us.”

Sangakkara puts faith in spinners

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara urged his batsmen to show improvement against Australia.

“The negative for us from the Pakistan game was that we lost a bunch of wickets very quickly. Against Australia we have to keep wickets and build partnerships,” said Sangakkara who was mulling over the option of playing all their three specialist spinners, hoped that his star bowlers, including Malinga, will perform in the key clash.

“When you have guys like Malinga, Mathews and Murali you expect them to deliver. Responsibility also falls onto the support bowlers to do their bit so that guys like Malinga can express themselves well.”

The left-hander also felt that Australia will be tough to beat.

“They’ve got quality fast-bowlers, who’ll come at us very hard. They are a good side. But when we beat Australia on the last tour, the key change we made was in our attitude.”

Wasim urges teams to play with ‘fire’

Pakistan great Wasim Akram, the last captain to beat Australia in a World Cup match, says teams need a plan and “fire in the belly” to end the side’s long run of success at the World Cup.

“You need a plan in the mind and fire in the belly to beat Australia,” said Wasim. “Have a set plan and your body language should be like that of champions.”

The former captain felt that the toss could play an important role for the hosts in today’s clash.

“Winning the toss will be crucial for Sri Lanka, even if they were planning to play three spinners,” said Wasim, “It will be difficult to chase for teams at the ground.”

Malinga

Sri Lanka will look to pace spearhead Lasith Malinga to continue his devastating form against the World Champions. Malinga took his second World Cup hattrick against Kenya while registering career best figures of six for 38.

Johnson



Australia captain Ricky Ponting has put faith in his fast-bowlers, including Mitchell Johnson, to deliver against the hosts. Johnson is one of the leading wicket-takers in the tournament, with eight wickets from his two matches.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 5^th, 2011.