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| August 29, 2002 | Thursday | Jamadi-us-Saani 19,1423 |
Aussie coach wary of Pakistan backlash
NAIROBI, Aug 28: Australia’s stand-in coach Allan Border is wary of a Pakistan backlash at the triangular series in Kenya which starts on Thursday.
“Although Pakistan did not play well in the Morocco Cup, they are still capable of beating any top side. But as world one-day champions, we’ll give our best,” Border, a former Australia Test captain, told a news conference on Wednesday.
Border stepped in at the last minute to coach Australia in the tournament, which also involves the hosts, following the withdrawal of John Buchanan who has a back injury.
Kenya and Pakistan play in the first match on Thursday while Australia play Pakistan on Friday.
Australia will be keen to avoid a repeat of the last time they visited Kenya when they were beaten in the first match of the ICC Knock Out Trophy in October 2000.
Pakistan performed disappointingly in Tangiers against Sri Lanka and South Africa, winning just one of their four matches and failing to make the final.
Captain Waqar Younis said they would miss batsman Yousuf Youhana, who was sent home on Tuesday, with no reason given for his departure.
“He is a very good batsman and a key player and we will certainly miss him but in his absence, we have to cope with what we have,” Waqar said.
Australia arrived here after one of their longest breaks in almost a decade.
Ricky Ponting, who is one-day captain, and his deputy, Adam Gilchrist, are part of the 14-man squad that are hot favourites to win the trophy.
The world champions, whose last international match was in South Africa in April, declined interviews on arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
The tournament is part of Australia’s build-up to the World Cup in South Africa next February. Over the next six months, they will also play three Tests against Pakistan, host an Ashes series with England, and play a triangular one-day series against England and Sri Lanka.
Australia have brought a strong squad for the tournament, including Shane Warne, Michael Bevan, Damien Martyn, Glenn McGrath, Andrew Symonds and Andy Bichel and Matthew Hayden and Jimmy Maher.
Youngster Shane Watson has been introduced into the team, giving him an all-rounder’s cap and 20-year-old Queensland off-spinner Nathan Hauritz will be expected to confirm his arrival as a valuable one-day performer.
Brett Lee, one of the fastest bowlers in the game, will also take part while Mathew Hayden will cement a one-day opening role.
Pakistan, who will use the tournament as their home series following security concerns in Lahore, arrived last Friday.
Waqar has said Pakistan failed to live up to their potential in Morocco.
“It was unfortunate that the team failed to click in Morocco. We are still a very good team capable of beating any good side,” Waqar said, adding that the team was upbeat following the return of pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar.
Kenyan coach Sandeep Patil said his team want to keep up the tempo after beating Bangladesh ‘A’ 3-0.
“There is no shame in losing to world champions, but beating them will be great. The confidence is high and players are very positive,” the former Indian Test batsman said.
Captain Steve Tikolo admitted the Kenyans were the underdogs, but said: “In cricket, one never knows. We may well win.”—Reuters
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