Legglancer
Well-known member
Well Sri Lanka beat them last didnt they ??
Ganguly wants Kiwis out; Jayasuriya in more trouble for Sri Lanka
Associated Press, Thu March 13, 2003 10:42 EST . JOHN PYE - AP Sports Writer - Ganguly
reckons subcontinental rival Sri Lanka - , with a bowling attack spearheaded by offspinner
Muttiah Muralitharan, is a better chance at beating Australia in a semifinal than New Zealand,
which slumped to a 96-run defeat to the Aussies at Port Elizabeth.
The Indians would prefer not to meet Australia in the March 23 final at the Wanderers and,
anticipating they'll account for Kenya and reach the decider, were hoping for an upset in the
other semifinal.
A New Zealand loss against India would give extra impetus to Sri Lanka - 's match against
Zimbabwe on Saturday.
The Super Six standings are: Australia 20, India 16, Kenya 14, New Zealand 8, Sri Lanka - 7.5,
and Zimbabwe 3.5.
So the Sri Lankans, half a point behind New Zealand, could advance if the Kiwis lose and they
can regroup from two massive defeats to overcome Zimbabwe, which had a seven-wicket loss
to Kenya at its last start.
``If we beat New Zealand tomorrow, then Sri Lanka - gets an opportunity to get into the
semifinal and they could be a handy side at P.E., where the ball has turned a lot,'' Ganguly said.
``There are a lot of things to get out of this game. It's not just another game (just because) we
have qualified for the semifinals.''
Sri Lanka - finished above New Zealand in the Group B standings, but hasn't won a game since.
Meanwhile, the Kiwis beat Zimbabwe and then Shane Bond took 6-23 to have Australia reeling
at 84 for seven before the Aussies rallied for a 96-run win.
New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming said the must-win status of the India match didn't chance
his attitude, because he always approached a match with the intention of winning.
``We're not in a bad situation. We have to win tomorrow to go through to semifinals. If you had
told me six months ago that we would be playing India to go to semifinals I would take it any
day,'' Fleming said.
After forfeiting a match to Kenya in Nairobi, New Zealand scraped into the second round when
South Africa and Sri Lanka - had a rain-enforced tie, forcing the hosts out.
Fleming said Kenya's surprise entry into the semifinals is an ``unusual situation to have and we
will go through feeling a bit heavy about the Kenyan decision.''
But, he said, there was no point dwelling on the forfeit, the reasons behind it or the fallout.
``We did pretty much all we could to get through, we've got the same scenario tomorrow. We
don't want to leave it to the last game. We want to win tomorrow and go through.''
Sri Lankan skipper Sanath Jayasuriya, who has picked up tonsillitis and the flu to go with the
fractured thumb he suffered in the Super Six loss to Australia, says his lineup wants to win
Saturday's match regardless of the India-New Zealand result.
``Even if we're not in the semis, we have to play good cricket,'' said Jayasuriya, who is Sri Lanka
- 's leading batsman here. ``I am really disappointed with the way we've played the last game
batting, bowling and even fielding.''
Sri Lanka - beat the West Indies and New Zealand in the league round but had an upset 53-run
loss to the Kenyans in Nairobi. A 96-run loss to Australia in its Super Six opener was followed
by a 183-run thrashing by India.
Reaching the Super Six round had been Sri Lanka - 's priority, Jayasuriya said, going further
would be a bonus.
``From hereon it's out of our hands,'' he said. ``Nothing will stop us from playing good cricket.
We're proud to represent our country and every game is treated as important even if it didn't
matter.''
Despite his illnesses and injuries, Jayasuriya expects to play against Zimbabwe.
``We've always had close matches against Zimbabwe and I don't think Saturday is going to be
any different,'' he said. ``Like us, Zimbabwe had a bad game against Kenya, and (they) will be
looking to take their frustration out on us. We have to be wary.''
The Australians haven't lost in their last 15 World Cup matches but were also wary of Kenya,
the first team without full membership of the International Cricket Council to reach the World
Cup semifinals.
No. 4 batsman Damien Martyn said the Australians would take a full strength lineup into the
Kenya match at Durban on Saturday, although there's been speculation that coach John
Buchanan will give spinner Nathan Hauritz and fast bowler Nathan Bracken a start.
There's nothing to say Kenya, which has gained support for its relaxed demeanor on and off the
field, won't rest some of its leading players to give the squad players a chance.
Ganguly wants Kiwis out; Jayasuriya in more trouble for Sri Lanka
Associated Press, Thu March 13, 2003 10:42 EST . JOHN PYE - AP Sports Writer - Ganguly
reckons subcontinental rival Sri Lanka - , with a bowling attack spearheaded by offspinner
Muttiah Muralitharan, is a better chance at beating Australia in a semifinal than New Zealand,
which slumped to a 96-run defeat to the Aussies at Port Elizabeth.
The Indians would prefer not to meet Australia in the March 23 final at the Wanderers and,
anticipating they'll account for Kenya and reach the decider, were hoping for an upset in the
other semifinal.
A New Zealand loss against India would give extra impetus to Sri Lanka - 's match against
Zimbabwe on Saturday.
The Super Six standings are: Australia 20, India 16, Kenya 14, New Zealand 8, Sri Lanka - 7.5,
and Zimbabwe 3.5.
So the Sri Lankans, half a point behind New Zealand, could advance if the Kiwis lose and they
can regroup from two massive defeats to overcome Zimbabwe, which had a seven-wicket loss
to Kenya at its last start.
``If we beat New Zealand tomorrow, then Sri Lanka - gets an opportunity to get into the
semifinal and they could be a handy side at P.E., where the ball has turned a lot,'' Ganguly said.
``There are a lot of things to get out of this game. It's not just another game (just because) we
have qualified for the semifinals.''
Sri Lanka - finished above New Zealand in the Group B standings, but hasn't won a game since.
Meanwhile, the Kiwis beat Zimbabwe and then Shane Bond took 6-23 to have Australia reeling
at 84 for seven before the Aussies rallied for a 96-run win.
New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming said the must-win status of the India match didn't chance
his attitude, because he always approached a match with the intention of winning.
``We're not in a bad situation. We have to win tomorrow to go through to semifinals. If you had
told me six months ago that we would be playing India to go to semifinals I would take it any
day,'' Fleming said.
After forfeiting a match to Kenya in Nairobi, New Zealand scraped into the second round when
South Africa and Sri Lanka - had a rain-enforced tie, forcing the hosts out.
Fleming said Kenya's surprise entry into the semifinals is an ``unusual situation to have and we
will go through feeling a bit heavy about the Kenyan decision.''
But, he said, there was no point dwelling on the forfeit, the reasons behind it or the fallout.
``We did pretty much all we could to get through, we've got the same scenario tomorrow. We
don't want to leave it to the last game. We want to win tomorrow and go through.''
Sri Lankan skipper Sanath Jayasuriya, who has picked up tonsillitis and the flu to go with the
fractured thumb he suffered in the Super Six loss to Australia, says his lineup wants to win
Saturday's match regardless of the India-New Zealand result.
``Even if we're not in the semis, we have to play good cricket,'' said Jayasuriya, who is Sri Lanka
- 's leading batsman here. ``I am really disappointed with the way we've played the last game
batting, bowling and even fielding.''
Sri Lanka - beat the West Indies and New Zealand in the league round but had an upset 53-run
loss to the Kenyans in Nairobi. A 96-run loss to Australia in its Super Six opener was followed
by a 183-run thrashing by India.
Reaching the Super Six round had been Sri Lanka - 's priority, Jayasuriya said, going further
would be a bonus.
``From hereon it's out of our hands,'' he said. ``Nothing will stop us from playing good cricket.
We're proud to represent our country and every game is treated as important even if it didn't
matter.''
Despite his illnesses and injuries, Jayasuriya expects to play against Zimbabwe.
``We've always had close matches against Zimbabwe and I don't think Saturday is going to be
any different,'' he said. ``Like us, Zimbabwe had a bad game against Kenya, and (they) will be
looking to take their frustration out on us. We have to be wary.''
The Australians haven't lost in their last 15 World Cup matches but were also wary of Kenya,
the first team without full membership of the International Cricket Council to reach the World
Cup semifinals.
No. 4 batsman Damien Martyn said the Australians would take a full strength lineup into the
Kenya match at Durban on Saturday, although there's been speculation that coach John
Buchanan will give spinner Nathan Hauritz and fast bowler Nathan Bracken a start.
There's nothing to say Kenya, which has gained support for its relaxed demeanor on and off the
field, won't rest some of its leading players to give the squad players a chance.