Centurion is a batting pitch; and Attapatu is in his great form. It’ll be interesting to see how Tigers’ manage to handle Aussies’ pace attack; and Aussies–>Muttiah.
As Jason Gilliespie out of the World Cup, Andy Bichel is doing a great job. Even reserved players from Australian side are in good shape. Look at Andy and Bevan’s in the last group game.
Australia to blast Sri Lanka with pace attack
PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) – **Even without Jason Gillespie, defending champion Australia is preparing to blast Sri Lanka with its pace attack in the cricket World Cup’s first Super Six encounter at Centurion on Friday. **
Skipper Ricky Ponting said Australia was well positioned in its defense of the World Cup that it has won twice – in 1987 and 1999 – and was banking on its three-pronged pace attack to inflict early damage on Sri Lanka’s top order.
**“The plan is simple, we’ll go out with the quicks early in the game and look to breach the Sri Lankan batting,” ** Ponting told reporters after practice at Centurion on Wednesday.
Ponting said he was sorry to see his pace bowler Gillespie return home with a right ankle injury – that will keep him out of action for at least four weeks – but it did not reduce the sting in Australia’s attack.
“We’ll miss Jason, but it will make no difference to out prospects,” Ponting said. **“We still have a very good attack with Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee and Andy Bichel capable of running through any batting lineup.” **
Gillespie had been sidelined since injuring tendons in his right heal in practice ahead of Australia’s Group A match against Namibia on Feb. 27.
He missed the two-wicket win over England on Sunday and had scans Tuesday that revealed extensive damage.
"I’m shattered. It isn’t healing, it’s going to take a long time. I’m leaving for home tonight, :teary2: " Gillespie told reporters.
The reigning champions showed the depth of their pace bowling resources when Bichel, who replaced Gillespie, sent England crashing with his haul of seven for 20, the second-best bowling performance in the World Cup’s history.
Australia had already had all-rounder Shane Watson ruled out of the tournament with a stress fracture in his lower back, and ace legspinner Shane Warne return home after failing a drug test.
“It’s a kick in the back, losing two of our best bowlers, but we have adequate backup and depth. The bowlers we have can deliver the goods,” Ponting said.
New South Wales fast bowler Nathan Bracken has been called into the squad and he will reach Johannesburg early Thursday, the captain said.
Australia won all its six league matches to top Group A here, while Sri Lanka emerged as the leader in Group B after a series of shock results saw fancied South Africa and two-time champion West Indies fall by the wayside.
**This is the first World Cup encounter between the two since the 1996 final, when Sri Lanka defeated Australia to clinch the title.
Ponting said he was expecting a keen contest from the Sri Lankans, who defeated Australia in the semifinals of the 12-nation Champions Trophy in Colombo on a spin-aiding track. **
“We’re not looking at this as a grudge match,” said Ponting. **“but it’s nice to go into the Super Sixes the way we’re positioned.” **
Australia, which has an edge in all limited-over encounters against Sri Lanka, reinforced its standing as the top-ranked one-day team in the world by hammering Sanath Jayasuriya’s squad on during its Australian tour earlier in the year.
Sri Lanka failed to make the final of the tri-nation series that also featured England, although it did produce a record win over the Australians.
Ponting said Australia’s big win over 1983 champion India in a group match at the same ground showed the track was lively.
“The wicket looked slow but it came through well,” he said. **“I must say we’ll be more comfortable with this pitch than the one in Colombo.” **
Australia hasn’t lost since its Jan. 9 loss to Sri Lanka in Sydney.
