da brdice： New Zealand are back at full strength with the return of theircaptain, Stephan Fleming, who has recovered from stomach trouble
Rex Clementine30-Jul-2001New Zealand are back at full strength with the return of theircaptain, Stephan Fleming, who has recovered from stomach trouble. TheBlack Caps will be looking forward to move to the top of the tablewith a victory in tomorrow’s game, which is the seventh match of theCoca-Cola Cup at the Sinhalese Sports Club grounds. If they win, theywill be drawing level with Sri Lanka in the points table but in thenet run rate they have a slight edge over the hosts. And there areprecedents of the net run rate deciding the finalists of Triangulartournaments."I’m fine. I’ll be perfectly alright for tomorrow’s game," said theNew Zealand captain at the end of the team’s practice session thismorning at the SSC Grounds.But the hosts, who have already got six points, will be determined notto repeat the mistakes against India on Saturday.Until the last game, India was unlikely to get through to the final,but after the improved performance on Saturday, they’ve got a slimchance to make it and in the process they have made the competitionmore interesting."We’ve played some good cricket and confident of getting through tothe final," said a confident Fleming at the end of the team’spractice session.Sri Lankan coach Dav Whatmore, does not seem to be too worried aboutlosing the last game against India, "The object of the exercise isfirst to make the final. We are nearly there. We could have been thereafter the last game. But we played poorly and the Indians playedbetter."With Fleming’s recovery, Jacob Oram, who played well in the Indiangame is likely to make way for him. Batting at No 3, Oram made 41 off37 balls with five boundaries and a six. He also dismissed RahulDravid for 27.Dion Nash who has played in both the matches against India was leftout in the matches against Sri Lanka, but after his brilliant allround performance in the last game against India, he is expected to bein the final eleven, according to the New Zealand captain.There is a general feeling that the Black Caps have failed to comegood against quality spinners, but the captain has a completelydifferent view, "I don’t think there’s a problem. Off the threeteams, we have scored the highest runs so far. It’s just not only us;all the teams are finding the wicket difficult in the middle overs.Admittedly, we can do a few things better, but overall we have donewell," remarked the New Zealand captain.The tournament shifts away from Premadasa stadium where the first sixmatches of the Coca-Cola Cup were played. The last time a One-DayInternational was played at the SSC, Sri Lanka crushed England by tenwickets. The pitch looks a good one and the curator Ranil Abenaiakefeels there should be a lot of runs. This is a view with which Flemingconcurs. "Yes, it looks like a good wicket. Looks the best out of thelot," he said.Sri Lankan cricket manager Air Commodore Ajith Jayasekara has returnedto his duties as the team manager after he temporarily stepped downfollowing the terrorists attack on the air-force base at Katunayake.Sri Lanka are likely to go with the same combination that lost thegame against India. Mahela Jayawardene is expected to keep his placein the side despite a lean trot. The right-hander has just scored 20runs in four innings with two ducks, "We are missing his runs. Butbatsmen do experience this kind of bad patch. He just needs to spendsometime in the middle. I tell you the boy is a terrific player. Thereis no doubt about it," said a confident Whatmore.The coach also says they will stick to the six batsmen policy whichthey have been following in this series, "I am very pleased with thepolicy. Those who took the decision did so after taking a lot offactors into account and with the best interest of the team in mind."With Sri Lanka unlikely to make any changes it’s likely that RomeshKaluwitharana will again be the opening partner for Sanath Jayasuriyaafter their 103-run partnership against India.If Sri Lanka win tomorrow’s game, they’ll be through to the final andthat will mean that India and New Zealand will have to fight hard toearn a slot to the August 5 final at the Premadasa stadium underflood-lights.If New Zealand wins, that will put the Indians in a must win situationin their last two games.