<Bz61>Sri Lanka will be at full tilt vows Moody
Seen by many as talented enough to claim their second World Cup, Sri Lanka aim to begin their 2007 campaign today as they intend to finish it — with a resounding victory.
And coach Tom Moody made it clear yesterday his side would be aiming to beat Bermuda with the minimum of fuss while affording them the same respect they would show any of their fellow Test countries.
“Look, I know it’s just an old cliché but it’s another game of cricket, and regardless of the opponent we’ll be at full tilt with what we believe is the right team for these conditions,” the big Australian told journalists following a morning training session at the Queen’s Park Oval.
“We’ll be going very hard into this match like we would be in any other match in the World Cup.
“I’m sure every nation that considers themselves in the top bracket will be on their toes when it comes to playing the minnows.
“And that includes Bermuda. We saw them get tumbled out against England but it’s another day of cricket tomorrow . . . they could have a great day, we could have a poor day and we could be licking our wounds, but we’ll make sure that doesn’t happen.
“Among the smaller nations, there’s a few good teams out there, no question. Bangladesh are obviously a side who have beaten good teams, including us, in the past. You know, Scotland, Ireland, all these teams, Kenya as well, are decent sides.”
Moody insisted he’d be putting out his best possible eleven which would include arguably the most formidable bowling attack Bermuda have ever faced.
“Both of those guys will be fronting up. And they’d be desperately disappointed if they weren’t playing, so we’ll be looking to play the best side that is suited to the conditions out there.”
Moody admitted he knew little or nothing about the Bermuda team, adding: “We’ll be going in tomorrow very much concentrating on our game and executing our game plan, and hopefully if we play as well as we can in all departments, the result will take care of itself.
“It can be a disadvantage (not knowing the other team). There are a couple of bowlers who may surprise you, but at this level the players should be able to adjust on their feet and adapt to any situation out in the middle and I’ll be expecting that from our team come tomorrow.”
Looking ahead of today’s match against Bermuda, Moody agreed his squad were good enough to repeat their World Cup triumph of 1996.
“I’m thrilled with this team. The 15 players I have here are perfectly balanced for what we’ve seen so far in the World Cup and it’s always a good sign when it’s difficult to finalise your eleven on the first day.
“We’ve got a strong squad which is going to be important going through this tournament.” Asked what would be the key ingredients for a championship-winning side, Moody said: “It’s a bit early to tell. But if I was to take a stab in the dark I’d say the depth and versatility of your team.
“I think teams that have the ability to throw the ball to a number of different options out in the middle, take advantage of the different conditions and a team that bats deep, I think those are going to be big advantages.
“But I might take a completely different view in a couple of weeks when I’ve seen some more cricket.
“It’s an open World Cup. A number of teams could win it and we feel that we’re one of those teams. It’s really up to us to execute our game as best as possible under pressure and make sure that we don’t make as many mistakes as what the opposition does.”
Vice-captain Russel Arnold said expectations were “really high” back home in Sri Lanka.
“They really do feel as though we have a fantastic chance of winning it,” he said. “And we believe as a team if we do perform to potential we could go all the way. It’s up to us to live up to those expectations.”
