Hesson backs Sri Lanka to beat Proteas
Legend Akram buoyed by battery of left-arm quicks
NEW Zealand coach Mike Hesson suspects Sri Lanka could be too good for South Africa in today’s opening World Cup quarterfinal in Sydney, but much will depend on the toss.
There is intense interest in the outcome as the winner will play the victor of the New Zealand-West Indies quarterfinal in Wellington on Saturday.
South Africa were one of the World Cup favourites, but have a reputation as chokers.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, were beaten 4-2 by New Zealand before the tournament but have worked their way into commanding form since.
“That’s a massive game,” Hesson said. “We are on the same side of the draw, so it’ll be interesting at Sydney. I think winning the toss and batting over there’s generally pretty important if it’s going to turn. I think Sri Lanka are dangerous in those conditions and South Africa are going to have to play well.”
New Zealand assembled in Wellington with Hesson stressing there was more to the West Indies than charismatic slugger Chris Gayle whose batting exploits draw most attention in the Caribbean camp.
Hesson said: “We won’t be spending our time on just one player. We’ll be making sure we prepare as well as we can for everyone.”
The West Indies believe Gayle, who missed their final pool match against United Arab Emirates after the flare-up of a back complaint, will be fit for Saturday, while New Zealand welcomed back express bowler Adam Milne, who pulled out of their last match with a shoulder problem.
While New Zealand went through Pool A unbeaten, the West Indies were the bottom qualifier in Pool B with three wins and three losses. But Hesson said the way they comprehensively beat Pakistan by 150 runs showed they were “a dangerous side”.
“When you think they’re down, one of their players comes out and plays an explosive innings or bowls a spell that can take you out of the game.” — AFP WASIM Akram can’t wait to see five left-arm seamers in action, when Australia and Pakistan clash on Friday for a World Cup semifinal spot, but admits Mitchell Starc is his favourite exponent.
The Adelaide showdown promises a feast of left-arm pacemen with Australian spearhead, Starc, the leading wicket-taker in the World Cup with 16 victims in five matches. Feared for his pace and bounce, Mitchell Johnson has taken nine wickets, while James Faulkner has three in three games since returning from a side strain on March 4.
Pakistan’s left-armers are led by Wahab Riaz (14 wickets) and Rahat Ali (seven). They were on course to have three in Friday’s game before giant seamer Mohammad Irfan (eight wickets) was forced out of the tournament yesterday with a stress fracture of the pelvis. Left-arm fast bowling legend, Akram, part of the Pakistan team which won the country’s only World Cup title in 1992, said he was anxiously waiting for the showdown of lefties.
“It excites me no end,” Wasim said. “When I used to play there were very few left-armers, it was a sort of novelty but now . . . I will be the most excited person at Adelaide Oval.”
Five left-arm pacemen played in Sharjah last December when Pakistan faced New Zealand.
Mitchell McClenaghan and Corey Anderson bowled for the Black Caps while Pakistan had Sohail Tanvir, Irfan and Riaz in their line-up.
Akram said left-arm fast bowling has evolved in the last few years, with Starc his favourite exponent.
“To me Starc is the best. He has height and he swings the ball and that is why he is so successful,” said Akram, of the 25-year-old who took a career best 6/28 in the narrow one-wicket loss to New Zealand in Auckland last month.
He praised New Zealand’s Trent Boult who has 15 wickets in six games.
“Boult is also very good and has a good attitude towards taking wickets.”
As far as the Pakistan team is concerned, Akram said Irfan needed to work on his fitness.
“Irfan is different,” said Akram of the 2.1m quick bowler – the tallest man to play international cricket. “His body stretches more and needs careful handling.
“Riaz has impressed me the way he bowled against Zimbabwe, then South Africa and Ireland, fast and with resolve,” said Akram.
“The only problem he had was with his wrist, which seemed to get locked [at the point of delivery] and that’s why he was not bringing the ball in. Now it has improved.” — AFP