COLOMBO, April 18: Sri Lanka's decision to keep top players from the cricket World Cup clash against Australia was a ploy sanctioned by Colombo, the island's chief selector said on Thursday.

Sri Lanka, already assured of a place in the semi-finals, kept out star bowlers Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan for the Super Eights match in Grenada on Monday, which Australia won by seven wickets.

Their absence, and that of already injured Lasith Malinga, meant the 1996 World Cup winners went into Monday's loss to the defending champions without a trio of bowlers who have taken 41 wickets at the tournament.

The controversial move, however, shocked the Australians and angered Sri Lankan fans who were keen to see the home team beat Australia, the current favourites to win their third consecutive World Cup title.

“It was a decision, a ploy, to keep our key strike bowlers away from the Australian game. We wanted to bring the players out for the finals with Australia,” Sri Lanka Cricket chief selector, Asantha de Mel, said.

De Mel's comments contradict skipper Mahela Jayawardene's statement that Muralitharan and Vaas, two of the stars of the side that won the World Cup 11 years ago, were rested.

“Once we realised we had the semi-final spot, I thought we needed to give those guys a break,” Jayawardene said after Monday's loss.

Australia fielded their full strength team for the clash, but de Mel said the Sri Lankans were in no hurry to show off their armoury.

“We did not want to give the Australians a free dress rehearsal. We are saving our armoury for the finals,” de Mel said.—AFP