PORT ELIZABETH, March 18: Big-hitting Andrew Symonds admitted he could be reduced to a supporting role in Sunday’s finale at the Wanderers.

“I was batting lower down the order today and I get the feeling that the guys above me could all make big scores in the final,” said Symonds who hit 91 in his team’s total of 212-7 on a slow pitch.

“After I made a 100 against Pakistan in the first game, it gave me a roadmap on how best to play the game when the ball gets softer and you need to accumulate runs,” added Symonds.

“I just try and chip in with the bat and the ball and field well. It all beats standing in the deep doing nothing.”

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting praised Symonds’ innings and the contribution of Lee who has now reached 20 wickets for the tournament.

“Andrew’s century against Pakistan was one of the best one-day innings I have ever seen,” said the captain.

“Today, he paced himself very well and got us to a respectable total. Then when Brett bowled Atapattu, it put them under pressure and onto the back foot.

Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya was left despondent especially after restricting the Australians to such a low total.

“Fifty percent of our work was fine, the other fifty percent wasn’t,” admitted Jayasuriya who had been hoping the slow conditions would have been the ideal platform for a winning performance. “We fielded and bowled well but again the batting, especially the middle order let us down.”—AFP