Australia v Sri Lanka, World Cup final, Barbados

[NoToRi0uS]

Australia v Sri Lanka, World Cup final, Barbados
Muttiah Muralitharan says a victory in the World Cup final against Australia on Saturday would be the biggest moment of his career, surpassing the 1996 World Cup triumph and all of his personal records.
"I had moments in 1996, I was very young and I didn't know much about it," he told AFP. "Now I know what it takes to win a World Cup. This may be my last World Cup so if we can win it will be the greatest moment in my life rather than my individual records."
Muralitharan, along with Chaminda Vaas and Sanath Jayasuriya, was part of the team that beat Australia in the final of the [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. He said the batsmen held the key to defeating Australia, who are unbeaten in the Caribbean.
"We have batsmen of the calibre of Jayasuriya, [Mahela] Jayawardene, [Kumar] Sangakkara, and [Upul] Tharanga," Muralitharan said. "If they click, the way we played in England [Sri Lanka won the one-day series 5-0 in 2006], we had total domination and I only played in two matches. If our batsmen get set we will be more dangerous than any other team in the world because we can play more shots than any other players."



Coach says team isn't scared of defending champions
Moody tells Australia to mind their own business
Tom Moody, the Sri Lanka coach, says Australia should keep out of the debate over Sri Lanka resting three bowlers during the Super Eights to keep them fresh for the finals. Ricky Ponting said Sri Lanka, who face Australia in the decider on Saturday, missed a chance to [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] when they left out Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas and Lasith Malinga for the match on April 16, but Moody said the issue had nothing to do with Australia.
"The return shot is why does Sri Lanka have to be told who to play against Australia?" Moody, who won two World Cups with Australia, said in the Courier-Mail. "What is it to do with Australia who we play in a game which is essentially a dead rubber?
"The cricket world did not stick their nose into the fact that half the Australian team didn't tour New Zealand for the Chappell-Hadlee Series. That was Australia's choice. It is the way you prepare your players for a long World Cup." Glenn McGrath and Ricky Ponting had games off during the CB Series while Ponting and Adam Gilchrist did not tour New Zealand for the Chappell-Hadlee Series.
Moody was confident Sri Lanka could spring an upset in the final, despite predictions the pacy and bouncy pitch would suit the Australians. "I think we can win," he said. "What Australia has done has no relevance to Saturday. If Sri Lanka bring their A game it is good enough to beat Australia.
"The Sri Lankans have a huge amount of respect for Australia but are not in awe of the contest. They actually welcome that. During my time with the team it has never seemed they were in fear or starstruck about Australia."

Numbers point to an Australian hat-trick
Their only encounter in the World Cup turned out to be a drab, one-sided washout with Sri Lanka resting key players, but that was only a Super Eights game, with nothing except pride at stake. On Saturday, with a whole lot more on the line, expect plenty more passion and fire from the Sri Lankans. If both teams play to potential, this match could even give us the classic last-over finish that this World Cup desperately needs.

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[sheem]

mere duaein Srilanka k sath hain

[NoToRi0uS]

am with SL as well
but they have to play really well to beat Aus :D

Ricky Ponting and Mahela Jayawardene are sharing it for now, but who will be holding the trophy on Saturday?, Barbados, April 26, 2007




Ricky Ponting and Mahela Jayawardene pose with the World Cup, Barbados, April 26, 2007

Heavy rain hit the venue of the World Cup final, Barbados' Kensington Oval at around 1330 BST, delaying the start of the Australia v Sri Lanka showdown