Australia vs Sri Lanka preview
Over a month of playing and 50 games later, the World Cup is down to its final game, and one has to admit that the two teams that will walk down the pavillion at the Kensington Oval have made it purely on merit and deserve to be there. The two teams are Australia and Sri Lanka and if you look at the statistics for the tournament, the first few positions always belong to players of both these teams.
First of all let us look at the Aussies. They are the defending champions and are aiming to make it a hattrick of World Cup wins- something that has not been achieved before. They have shown no mercy in this tournament and have inflicted severe mental damage upon several teams. The way they disposed off South Africa in the semifinals was one such example. The Australians have not lost a game since that semifinal tie in Edgbaston 8 years ago. They are the favourites, being unbeaten in this tournament. Matthew Hayden is enjoying every bit of his stay in the Carribean, so are Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting. Glenn ” Pigeon” McGrath is playing his last ODI game, and will want to bow out on a high. Shaun Tait and Brad Hogg have also been equally successful in tormenting the batsmen. Nathan Bracken and Shane Watson are the other bowlers.
The Sri Lankans on the other hand, are the underdogs. They have an excellent bowling attack, with variety, guile and experience. Not playing Muttiah Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas in the super eight game against the Aussies might earn Jayawardene plaudits at the end of the finals, if the Lankans win. Lasith Malinga has been a revelation in this tournament, and Jayasuriya and Fernando have backed up very well. The batting for the Lankans is a bit weak IMO, because they do depend heavily on Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakarra and Mahela Jayawardene. However Tharanga, Dilshan and Silva have shown that they are capable of steadying the boar when required.
The Lankans are the third subcontinental team to stand between Aussies and the World Cup- in 1999 it was Pakistan, in 2003 it was India and now it is their term. When these two teams met in 1996 final, Sri Lanka clinched their maiden World Cup. Jayasuriya, Vaas and Muralitharan are the survivors from that game for the Islanders, while Ponting and McGrath played for the Aussies. It wouldn’t be unfair to say that the Australians are firm favourites. I have bolded those words for emphasising how many people expect them to left their fourth World Cup.No team has really pushed them so far, and Sri Lanka, with Vaas and Murali might just be able to do it. It is just a matter of one good day, and luck going your way.
