COLOMBO, (Reuters) – Australia and Sri Lanka, the pre-tournament favourites to top World Cup Group A, meet on Saturday. Here is how the captains see the long-awaited encounter with quotes taken from a Friday news conference:
Ricky Ponting, captain, Australia:
How much are you concentrating on counter-acting dangerous fast bowler Lasith Malinga?
“We have played a fair bit against Malinga over the years. Obviously he had a great game the other day against Kenya (he collected a hat-trick). Looks like he is in pretty good form. Yes, he was one of the main focuses for us in the team meeting.”
How do you deal with him?
“We must make sure when he comes on in those middle overs we don’t let him take wickets and have the impact he had on the game the other night (against Kenya).
“But by the same token we cannot just afford to focus on one of their bowlers. There are few other world class bowlers in their team we need to focus on as well.”
Does Pakistan defeat for Sri Lanka mean they are less of a threat to your team?
“Although they lost that one game to Pakistan I don’t think anything changes at all. They are a well skilled, well drilled team and I think everything points in the direction of a really good game of cricket tomorrow.”
Kumar Sangakkara, captain, Sri Lanka:
On playing all three of their spinners:
“We are going to have a chat at training today and see if that is the best way — we have got three great spinners and we have part time spinners so we will make a decision on that.”
Problems facing champions Australia:
“The real strength of the Australia is the pace. They have four quality pace bowlers and they will probably come out at us pretty hard. We’ll have to absorb that.”
Do Sri Lanka believe they can win after losing to Pakistan?
“The key thing is our attitude — the way we look at the Aussies and believe that we are going to beat them. That is even more important than technical changes we make.”
Fitness worries?
“Angelo Mathews (all-rounder) was injured but now he is fit — our balance has increased.”
