Favourites get ready for battle

Today’s blockbuster clash between Australia and Sri Lanka has been a long awaited one for fans and players alike.

Despite the fact not a ball has been bowled, the mind games have already begun with Sri Lankan coach, Tom Moody, stating that Australian speedster Shaun Tait would be no threat to his men.

“They might find adjusting to Tait’s line and trajectory a little bit easier given they are used to facing Malinga in the nets,” Moody said.

“Instead of looking where you traditionally look for the ball – over the top – they may be able to adjust slightly quicker than other teams.

“Tait has added a little bit of spark to the Australian side, but if there’s one nation used to unusual actions, it is Sri Lanka.”

Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene said he was looking forward to the challenge of playing the number one ranked side but said he would not risk playing his star bowler Lasith Malinga.

“It’s an ideal time to play them because we are very relaxed,” Jayawardene said.

“It is an important game for us, but I don’t think it’s that important for us to risk Lasith if he is not 100%.

“We’ve got guys who can step up to the plate and deliver for us, so I’m not very concerned about his fitness right now.”

Moody confirmed Malinga would probably not play in the match.

“I can probably say it’s 90 percent sure he won’t be available for tomorrow’s match,” said Moody.

“We are aware he’s not quite right and we don’t want to worsen the situation. We’d rather get on top of it completely before we let him loose again.

“He’ll definitely be playing, going forward, but probably tomorrow is a day or two too early.”

Meanwhile Australian captain Ricky Ponting has said his side will treat the experienced Sri Lankan attack with much respect in today’s encounter.

“Chaminda Vaas is a class player as well and has been a great bowler for them for a long time,” said Ponting.

“What they have done, both Malinga and Vaas, throughout this tournament is take early wickets.

“They’ve had opposition teams a couple down early on and that makes Muttiah Muralitharan more effective through the middle of the innings.

“Our plan will be to get through the new ball as well as we can and keep wickets in hand for the middle part of the game when they slow things down with their spinners, Murali, Sanath Jayasuriya and Tillakaratne Dilshan.”