Australians plan a West Indies mauling

Run rate will then decide which two qualify with Pakistan for the Super Six second phase.

Sunday’s match should serve up a tension-packed classic. Between them, the Australians and the West Indies have won three of the previous six World Cups and appeared in every final apart from the 1992 edition.

The sides met earlier this year in the Caribbean, with Brian Lara the star as the sides shared both the Test and one-day series.

Australia, starting as the World Cup second favourites, appear to be running into form at last after a raggedstart.

After losing to New Zealand, they put on a battling display against Pakistan, going down by just 10 runs, and then, with one eye already on their run rate, hammered Bangladesh, scoring at nine runs an over to reach a winning total of 179.

"I back all our players to perform under pressure that’s why we’re here," Waugh said. "And I believe we’re still a good side even though we haven’t played that well in the first couple of games. We’ve got faith in each other and I believe we can go through to the next stage, and I don’t see any reason why we can’t go all the way. I know it’s a big statement but that’s how I feel about the team." The result may hinge on the pace bowlers.

Veteran West Indian Courtney Walsh, who looks set to overhaul Kapil Dev’s world record 434 Test dismissals in the coming months, has taken 11 wickets for 83 runs from 37 overs.

His strike partner, Curtly Ambrose, has only four victims but has shut up one end so effectively that his 30 overs have cost a mere 63 runs, the besteconomy rate in the tournament.

Australia’s Glenn McGrath, in contrast, the pre-tournament favourite to top the wickets list, has struggled, managing five wickets for 173 and conceding four-and-a -half runs an over. But Waugh says: "He knows he can bowl better, so I think you’ll see an improved performance."

Australia look set to include all-rounder Tom Moody after his fine performance against Bangladesh which saw him bag three wickets for 25 and then thrash 56 off 29 balls.

Lara, meanwhile, said: "There is just one thing in my mind at this moment, and That’s to beat Australia. We are not worried about any run rate. "It is going to be a tough game. We’re underdogs on Sunday. Australia has got nothing to lose and will be coming out tough. They are world champions in Test cricket … they might have stumbled a bit in this tournament, but favouritism should go to them." The West Indies hold the upper hand in their World Cup meetings, with five wins out of seven.

Australia V West Indies

Headto Head

P WIw Aw T/Ab

Overall 91 56 36 2/1-

In WC 7 5 2 –

IN LAST 10 MATCHES

W L T/A

WI 5 4 1

AUS 5 4 1

Players to watch

Australia

Michael Bevan

The most innovative one-day batsman in the game, he has failed to make a major impact yet. His 61 against Pakistan suggests better thing s to come but time is running out.

West Indies

Ridley Jacobs

The surprise package, he has shone both as a keeper and opener. Took five catches and scored 82 against NZ. The Antiguan left-hander and Lara will be feared by Aussies.

OLD TRAFFORD: Manchester. It is England’s second largest cricket venue after Lord’s and has been used for Test cricket since 1884. It entered the record books in 1956 when Jim Laker took all 10 wickets against Australia, a feat emulated by India’s Anil Kumble against Pakistan earlier this year. Will also host a second ro und match on June 8 and the first semi-final on June 16.

BadMemories

The West Indies have won five of their seven World Cup meetings, butwill never forget the defeat in the semi-final of the 1996 tournament in India. Hav ing restricted Australia to 207 for eight, the West Indies crumbled under pressure to 202 all out despite Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s 80 and 49 not out from skipper Rich IE Richardson. Shane Warne took four for 36.

Teams

Australia (probable): Adam Gilchrist, Mark Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Darren Lehmann, Steve Waugh (capt), Michael Bevan, Tom Moody, Brendon Julian, Shane Warne, Damien Fleming, Glenn McGrath.

West Indies (probable): Ridley Jacobs, Sherwin Campbell, Shivnarine Chanderpaul,Brian Lara (capt), Jimmy Adams, Phil Simmons, Stuart Williams, Reon King, Curtly A mbrose, Courtney Walsh, Henderson Bryan.