Saqlain8217;s temperament will be tested

Both Pakistan and Australia are former world champions and they have the skill and the talent to make the final at Lord's a memorable occ...

Both Pakistan and Australia are former world champions and they have the skill and the talent to make the final at Lord8217;s a memorable occasion. They fully deserve to be in the final, the show piece of the tournament. It is difficult to separate these two teams because their styles are so different. The Pakistanis have the flair and the Aussies play the game hard, with less emotion.

One difference could be the mental toughness and the ability to rise to the occasion under pressure, with the knowledge that a single mistake could prove fatal. The Australians have the edge in this department because they have won their six games under pressure, realising that a defeat could have ousted them from the Cup. They have nerves of steel in tense situations, highlighted by the remarkable tied match in the semifinal against South Africa. Both teams had their chances to win the game but when it mattered the most, the Aussies dug deep and had that never-say-die-attitude until the last ball was bowled and the match waswon.

It were the South Africans who wilted and blundered under pressure with that silly run out, with only one run required to win in four balls. For them, the years of planning and the desire to be the world champions was destroyed by one run! What heartbreak that must have been. Coach Bob Woolmer even went to the extent of saying that it was the worst day of his cricketing life.The private battles that will exist in this match will be fascinating to watch. Both teams have some in-form players. Mark Waugh, despite his duck in the last match, has had a good tournament and scored one century, but his counterpart, Saeed Anwar, has struck two consecutive centuries and looks in very good form. Adam Gilchrist has not fired in the opening role as a batsman, but there is little to choose between he and Moin Khan, who can provide inspirational performances with the bat and behind the stumps. Ricky Ponting has consistently been more impressive than Ejaz Ahmed, but Darren Lehmann has been outplayed by Inzamam-ul Haq.Steve Waugh has provided the experience and the backbone of the Australian batting with nearly 400 runs at an average of 79. Wajahtullah Wasti8217;s 84 against New Zealand in the semi-final was very impressive.

Michael Bevan, who is an compact player when the going gets tough, has held the middle-order batting together 8212; he has a decisive edge over the performances of Shahid Afridi. The big-hitting Tom Moody has had mixed results with the ball, whereas Abdul Razzaq has bowled very well, but his inexperience will be tested.

The contest between the two spinners, Shane Warne and Saqlain Mushtaq will be the one to watch. Warne is back to his best after having some indifferent performances, but the Pakistani batsmen will have a plan on how to play him and reduce his effectiveness 8212; good footwork. Saqlain will have his temperament tested, but his skills are to be admired. Both are match-winners and provide the variation in their team8217;s bowling attacks that could be influential.

There is nothing to separate PaulReiffel and Azhar Mehmood, who have both put in very steady performances. Wasim Akran has bowled magnificently and can turn a match with his power-hitting but Damien Fleming, who is a wicket-taking bowler has conceded 143 runs from his last 28 overs. Glenn McGrath has the experience, but Shoaib Akhtar has the extra pace 8212; there is little to choose between the two bowlers because they are both wicket-takers and partnership breakers, with Shoaib, who conceded more runs per over, capturing 17 wickets and McGrath 16 wickets.

The team that can produce the big performance on the day will be crowned the 1999 world champion. Past record of the finalists suggests that a score of over 250 will be necessary at Lord8217;s. Australia have been under more pressure than any other team in the competition and responded. I think they will be able to do that again.