ST GEORGE’S, April 15: Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene says his side's self-belief means they can do what no other team has managed since the 1999 World Cup – beat Australia.
The reigning champions, chasing an unprecedented third successive title, have gone 25 games unbeaten at the World Cup since losing to Pakistan at Headingley eight years ago, a sequence that includes their famous tied semi-final against South Africa in 1999.
Australia's nine-wicket thrashing of Ireland on Friday was their 19th straight World Cup win and meant they became the first team in the Caribbean to qualify for the semi-finals.
But Sri Lanka, despite being without injured fast bowler Lasith Malinga, beat fellow title contenders New Zealand by six wickets on Thursday and Jayawardene cannot wait for Monday's Super Eights fixture at the Grenada National Stadium.
“I think we have a very good record against them,” said Jayawardene. “Why? Because we play our brand of cricket and we are not afraid of doing that.”
Malinga, who had been the tournament's leading bowler until his injury with 15 wickets, turned his arm over in the nets on Saturday for 15 minutes before having his injured left ankle heavily strapped.
The 23-year-old, whose unorthodox action makes him difficult for batsmen to pick up, hasn't played against Australia and Jayawardene admitted there was a case for keeping him 'hidden' until a possible meeting with Ricky Ponting's side in either the semi-finals or final.
“That's one way to look at it but there are so many other ways to look at it.”
Sri Lanka qualified for the semi-finals on Saturday without having to take to the field. Their place in the last four was confirmed when New Zealand beat South Africa by five wickets here.
Jayawardene said it was vital the likes of 1996 World Cup winning bowlers Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan maintained their recent form.
“Australia are getting good starts and there hasn't been that much emphasis on their middle order so that's one area we'll be thinking about,” he explained. “They've got a good balanced bowling attack as well.”
Sri Lanka's last one-day win against Australia, in Adelaide in January 2006 saw Tillekeratne Dilshan involved in four run-outs of home batsmen.
And Jayawardene praised the off-spinning all-rounder as one of the ‘dirty work’ players all successful sides needed.
“Most of the teams do have that all-rounder in their side who does all the dirty work for you, gets that 30 or 40 runs, bowls five or six overs, gets you one or two wickets and probably pick up a half-chance or a run-out.”
Meanwhile, Australia quick Glenn McGrath said opener Sanath Jayasuriya, whose dynamic batting played a major role in Sri Lanka's World Cup triumph 11 years ago, was a key target.
“There is no doubt he is a great player and we'd like to get on top of him early and knock him over,” said McGrath, on the losing side in the 1996 final.
“From what we've seen, the pitch in Grenada is slower and takes some turn. It will be a big test for us and probably suit Sri Lanka.”
McGrath, the World Cup's leading bowler of all-time with 63 wickets, said that Australia's lack of a close game in the Caribbean wouldn't be an issue as the World Cup neared its conclusion.
And the 37-year-old, due to retire after the tournament, insisted now was the time when players such as himself and fellow two-time World Cup winners Ponting and Adam Gilchrist would come into their own.
“The next two weeks for us is the showcase time for the whole tournament, and our senior players, who have been in World Cups before, I think that's when you'll see them stand up and start enjoying the tournament for what it is.”
Probable teams:
AUSTRALIA: Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Brad Hodge, Michael Hussey, Brad Hogg, Nathan Bracken, Shaun Tait, Glenn McGrath.
Sri Lanka: Upul Tharanga, Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Chamara Silva, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Russel Arnold, Farveez Maharoof, Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Muralitharan, Dilhara Fernando.
Umpires: Aleem Dar (Pakistan) and Billy Doctrove (West Indies).
TV umpire: Mark Benson (England).
Reserve umpire: Daryl Harper (Australia).
Match referee: Mike Procter (South Africa).—AFP
Match starts at 6:30pm (PST)
Weather forecast: Chance of a thunderstorm, scattered clouds. Temperature rising to 31 degrees Centigrade (87 degrees Fahrenheit).
Pitch report: Much will depend on overhead conditions with grey skies likely to assist early swing movement. Should develop into benign batting surface as game wears on.