Australia hope to set the record straight

With two wins each, the frontrunners in the high-profile tournament will both be keen to move closer to sealing a spot for the best-of-three finals. Pakistan won the first round when they overcame poor batting to stun the hosts in the lung-opener at Brisbane and their thrilling comeback last ball win over India the next day has really lifted the side mired in controversies.

Wasim Akram’s men, fresh after six days of rest, will hope to maintain the winning momentum to keep critics at bay and also to take the spotlight away from speedster Shoaib Akhtar.

The 24-year-old underlined his value with three wickets apiece in the first two matches.

Pakistan’s top order fell in a heap both against the hosts and India in Brisbane, and the team pulled through only thanks to gritty performances by their bowlers and tail-enders.

The Australian top order fell to Pakistan’s pace attack, chasing a modest target of 185, and again proved second best as India’s pace spearhead Javagal Srinath proved unplayable on a lively SCG pitch yesterday.

Pakistan’s twin wins at the outset will give them a slender edge, but Aussie spearhead Glenn McGrath who has proved a terror among opposing batsmen, will be ready to rattle the seasoned Saeed Anwar, Ijaz Ahmed and Inzamam-ul Haq once again.

Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram felt the two wins have given his team the right impetus. “We needed that win to tell ourselves we can win against them,” he said after avenging the World Cup final defeat to Australia in England last year at Brisbane.

Akram, who suffered a groin twinge attempting a run against India, declared himself fit. The visitors will have the option of playing the more defensive but techically competent opener Wajahatullah Wasti for the explosive, but unsuccessful Shahid Afridi.

AFP adds: Captain Steve Waugh said Australia was likely to retain the side that defeated India. Waugh rated McGrath’s 4-8 off 10 overs against India as among the best bowling performances he had seen in one-day cricket.

He, however, defended his batsmen despite Australia slumping to 59-5 in pursuit of a modest target of 101.

“I think Don Bradman would have struggled on that wicket,” Waugh said. (PTI)

Teams
Australia (from): Steve Waugh (capt), Mark Waugh, Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting, Michael Bevan, Damien Martyn, Andrew Symonds, Shane Lee, Brett Lee, Damien Fleming, Glenn McGrath, Stuart MacGill, Adam Dale.
Pakistan (from): Wasim Akram (cap), Saeed Anwar, Wajahatullah Wasti, Shahid Afridi, Ijaz Ahmed, Inzamam-ul Haq, Yousuf Youhana, Abdur Razzaq, Moin Khan, Saqlain Mushtaq, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, Azhar Mahmood.
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