Ambimama - India

Bounce me, if you can says Jayasuriya

Sri Lanka’s marauding opening batsman Sanath Jayasuriya has thrown down the gauntlet at the Australians to bounce him if they can in Saturday’s final of the cricket World Cup.

“It doesn’t matter what they bowl to me. I have been around long enough in international cricket to face any sort of bowling. If they bounce me, I can pull and hook as well,” said Jayasuriya with characteristic modesty.

Australians have tried to bounce Jayasuriya in recent times, suggesting the left-hander is vulnerable to fast, rising deliveries.

Ponting is especially upbeat about the Kensington oval pitch which, by all accounts, should favour pace and bounce.

Jayasuriya was almost lyrical in his praise for captain Mahela Jayawardene whose century guided Sri Lanka to win over New Zealand in the first semi-final in Kingston on Tuesday.
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McGrath wants to destroy Jayasuriya

Glenn McGrath has singled out his prey Sanath Jayasuriya for the World Cup final against Sri Lanka on Saturday.

McGrath says he has enjoyed a upper hand against the left-hander in bouncy tracks, something the Barbados pitch will have in plenty.

“I have probably bowled a bit more aggressively in this tournament than I have in the past and that’s the reason why I have a few more wickets.

“The fact that I have decided to retire is probably one of the reasons why I am bowling so well because I am just going out there, trying to enjoy it. There is no pressure, no fear, no anything” he said.

The 37-year old bowler undermined the South Africans early in the innings with three for 18 off eight overs. South Africa could make only 149 off 43.5 overs after winning the toss and opting to bat.

Australia then cruised to their target in 31.1 overs to win handsomely at the Beausejour Cricket Ground on Wednesday.

Australia will now meet Sri Lanka in the final at Kensington Oval in Barbados on Saturday, in a repeat of the 1996 final when Sri Lanka won their first-ever World Cup title.

“There is quality bowling in their camp based on the way (Lasith) Malinga is bowling and (Muttiah) Muralitharan can turn it on too, so we’ll hopefully be preparing as well as we did for the semi-final,” he pointed out.

Mean while may interrupt the game - Cup final

Light showers could interrupt the World Cup final between holders Australia and Sri Lanka on Saturday.

The Barbados capital had been bathed in sunshine for more than two weeks but overcast skies and outbreaks of rain were forecast for both Friday and Saturday. Temperatures are expected to reach 31 degrees Celsius (88 degrees Fahrenheit).

Organisers have the option of completing the final on Sunday should the match be interrupted on Saturday or use the Duckworth-Lewis system to adjust the number of overs/target for the teams if bad weather comes into the equation for the tournament finale.

Ponting prepares for unique Malinga

Australia captain Ricky Ponting practised against a bowling machine set to simulate deliveries from Sri Lanka express bowler Lasith Malinga on the eve of Saturday’s World Cup final.

Malinga, who took four wickets in four balls in the second-stage Super Eights match against South Africa, returned after an injury break to bowl with ferocious pace against New Zealand in the semi-finals.

‘TOP-UP WORK’
“Malinga’s action is pretty unique,” Ponting told a news conference after practice.

“He will be a key with the new ball, that sort of wicket will probably seam as well with a bit of extra bounce and carry.”

Ponting said he was not concerned that his team had been given no serious, sustained challenge throughout the seven-week tournament.

Australia are undefeated in the World Cup since losing a group stage match to Pakistan in 1999, a run of 28 matches.