28 October 1998
Aussies in excellent form, says Steve Waugh
by Zahid Newaz in Dhaka
A day before taking on India, Australian captain Steve Waugh Tuesday
said his team is now in "excellent form" and will try their best to
win the cherished trophy of the Wills International Cup cricket being
held in the capital.
Former world champions Australia will take on India, another former
world champions, in the third quarter final of the tournament at
flood-lit Bangabandhu National stadium Wednesday.
About the match with India, the Australian captain said it will be
closely contested as India is also a "good one-day side." Talking to
newsmen at the Bangabandhu Stadium after net practice in the evening,
Steve Waugh didn't consider this tournament as different from the
others. "Each one-day match is equally important."
About the team, he said besides some experienced players, there are
also a few talented young one-day players and all of them are in good
form. "I am happy with my team and we're totally confident."
"Our batting side is well. We've good variation in bowling, our
fielding is excellent," he said adding that the "pitch here will suit
batsmen, not the bowlers."
About the other teams playing in the knock-out basis tournament, Steve
Waugh said nine best teams of the world are participating. "Every team
is capable of winning the trophy."
With an indication of winning the trophy in Dhaka, he said they have
played a lot of cricket in this sub-continent and "our performance was
not bad." The Australian skipper added : "We've also won the World Cup
in India in 1987."
Asked about their strategy to contain Sachin Tendulkar in the match
with India, Steve Waugh smilingly said they'll take the match as a
whole, not to worry about any individual.
Earlier, the Pakistani and Australian contingents arrived in Dhaka on
Tuesday morning by the same PIA flight from Karachi. However, Michael
Bevan, Brad Young, Brendon Julian, Damien Martyn, Andrew Symonds and
Adam Gilchrist had reached the Bangladesh capital in two groups on
Sunday and Monday.
Pakistan will take on West Indies in the last and fourth quarter final
of Wills Cup on Thursday.
Australian team: Steve Waugh (capt), Mark Waugh, Michael Bevan,
Adam Gilchrist, Brendon Julian, Damien Martyn, Damien Fleming, Michael
Kasprowicz, Darren Lehmann, Glenn McGrath, Ricky Ponting, Gavin
Robertson, Andrew Symonds and Brad Young. Officials : Steve Bernard
(manager), Geoff Marsh (coach), David Misson (fitness adviser), Mike
Walsh (scorer) and Pat Farhart (physiotherapist).
Pakistan team: Aamer Sohail (capt), Shahid Afridi, Ijaz Ahmed,
Salim Malik, Yousuf Youhana, Akhter Sarfaraz, Saleem Elahi, Moin Khan,
Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Azhar Mahmood, Aaqib Javed, Saqlain
Mushtaq and Arshad Khan. Officials: Javed Miandad (coach), Azhar
Zaidi (manager) and Dan Kiesel (doctor).
Source :: CricInfo365