da gbg bet： There will still be a bit of wariness when Sri Lanka take on New Zealand tomorrow, as no one is quite clear how the pitch will play when the first ball is bowled
Anand Vasu in Mumbai19-Oct-2006
Mahela Jayawardene: ‘Basically it’s two semi-finals. We have beenpushed to the wall and we have to win’ © AFP
The complexion of this edition of the Champions Trophy changeddramatically when West Indies pulled off a sensational 10-run win overAustralia at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai yesterday. That game was played on athird pitch but no-one gave it a chance. Fair enough; how different canone 22-yard patch be from another on the same square? But when Sri Lankatake on New Zealand, there will still be a bit of wariness as no one isclear how the pitch will play when the first ball is bowled.When West Indies began their game against Australia they were playing thepitch more than they were the bowlers. Brian Lara’s master stroke – and itseemed like a terrible mistake at the time – of coming in at No. 6 ensuredthat West Indies could still go on to post a competitive total despitetheir early losses. But it may not be a blueprint for games of the future.Andy Atkinson, the ICC’s expert on pitches, arrived in Mumbai and did what he could to help the pitches at the Brabourne Stadium along. Word is that they’re using industrial adhesives – the stuff builders use – to help bind the pitch, giving it a chance tolast the full hundred overs with minimum wear and tear.But the two teams really didn’t have the pitch on mind when they preparedthemselves for the latest mini battle of the tournament. Sri Lanka havebeen the team in form coming into this event, and their early performancesindicated that they were hot favourites. But a loss against Pakistan, whohave been in utter disarray after losing most of their bowling, hasensured that nothing can be taken for granted in this tournament.For Stephen Fleming and his crew the opposite has been true. They beganthe tournament as unfancied contenders. New Zealand have never been athome on dry, crumbling pitches, and there was no reason to believe theywould be any different this time around. Fleming spoke of how his team wasnot rated outside New Zealand – and unfairly so – and backed that up witha solid performance in the first game, against South Africa. He battedwith such care and streetwiseness on a tough pitch that he virtually wonthe game for his side.
New Zealand outplayed South Africa in their first match, but they are still hamstrung by injuries to key players © AFP
The only real concern for New Zealand was with injuries, and Shane Bondwas top on the list. With Scott Styris still not at his best, with ahamstring twinge bothering him, New Zealand have to make the most of theresources they have at hand. Understandably they’re taking a long-termview with Bond and believe they can still push the best in the world withthe squad they have. The contest promises to be a tough one, and if someof Sri Lanka’s flair comes to the fore, things could get reallyinteresting.New Zealand, who have won the tournament before, come to the party withthat confidence. “In 2000 we hoped we could win it,” said Fleming at apre-match press conference. “Now we have come here with a genuineexpectation as a contender. That’s the major difference. In the lastcouple of years we’ve been blooding new players and developing experience. Now we play in tournaments to win, that’s a big change from what it wasin 2000 in the ICC Knock Out.”Mahela Jayawardene, meanwhile, was quite relaxed about the position histeam was in. “For Sri Lanka basically it’s two semi-finals. We have beenpushed to the wall and we have to win,” he said. “It’s a very healthysituation though to be in. If destiny is in our hand we should be able tosteer it, rather than hoping for somebody else to do it for us. It’simportant not to think too far ahead, but think about tomorrow’s game.”Two teams that are more than competent at one-day cricket promise to putup a show worthy of the occasion.