Australia look to continue winning spree

BANGALORE:

Defending champions Australia can reach the World Cup quarter-finals with a victory over hapless Kenya today in what threatens to be one of the most lopsided matches of the tournament.

Australia, unbeaten at the World Cup since 1999, have recorded dominant wins over Zimbabwe and New Zealand before rain washed out what promised to be their first major test of this competition, against Sri Lanka, last weekend.

One of the few things that appear to be standing in the way of another crushing display will be if they decide to alter the batting line-up so as to give their under-exposed middle order much-needed match practice.

Hussey taking nothing for granted

There is set to be at least one change with Michael Hussey, a late replacement for injured fast-bowler Doug Bollinger, having himself recovered from a hamstring problem, being in line to play his first match of the tournament. However, the experienced left-hander was taking nothing for granted.

“I haven’t been given any indication if I am going to play or not,” said Hussey.

“I’m just going to prepare as though I’m going to play.

“If the team requires me to go at 20 an over that’s what I’ll try and do. If we need to stay there and win the game slowly that’s what I’ll try and do.”

Tough task for Kenya

This may be Kenya’s fifth successive World Cup but it has so far been a desperately disappointing event for the 2003 semi-finalists. Hammered by New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, they then suffered an even more humbling five-wicket loss to fellow associates Canada on Monday.

Today’s match, where a win for Kenya would surpass Bangladesh’s shock victory in Cardiff in 2005 and at least equal Zimbabwe’s 1983 triumph at Trent Bridge in the annals of stunning Australia One-Day International defeats, seems certain to strengthen Ponting’s case.

And, in a further worry for Kenya, Australia fast-bowler Brett Lee believes the champions have yet to hit top form in the subcontinent.

“We still haven’t played our best cricket, but that’s encouraging for us because the way we’re going is a nice, slow incline,” said Lee.

“We’re peaking at the right time, I think.”

As for Kenya, pride is at stake and batsman Tanmay Mishra, who made 51 in Kenya’s 198 against Canada, said, “Australia are the World Champions so it will be difficult but hopefully we can come up and give a good show.”

But fellow Kenya batsman Seren Waters admitted facing the Australia fast-bowling trio of Lee, Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson was a daunting prospect. “I don’t think there is another attack in the world comparable to that.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 13^th, 2011.