The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : `Biggest moment'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Apr 28, 2007
ePaper

Sport

Sport - Cricket

`Biggest moment'

Special Correspondent

Bridgetown: Chaminda Vaas will be part of the early skirmishes should Sri Lanka bowl first on Saturday. Part of the Cup-winning side of 1996, the left-arm seamer is looking to put his experience to good use.

On the World Cup final: As Murali rightly said, this is the biggest moment for me individually, as a team and as a nation too. Don't forget Sri Lanka is a very small island. If we do well in this final match, there will be joy in Sri Lanka. We know that there are a few problems back home. The Sri Lankan team is a multi-religion team. If we can work in harmony, we can set an example for our people to live in harmony. This match is of vital importance not just as players, but as Sri Lankan citizens.

On Australia: They are playing some great cricket. All the pundits say Australia is favourite on Saturday. That may actually help us. We should not take undue pressure. This is just another important match for me as a bowler.

On Sangakkara standing up: I know my limitations. I don't have any problem with that. Sanga is a class act. He is thinking cricketer and not one who does things to show off. The job assigned to me in the first spell is to get wickets to put pressure on the opponent. I have succeeded thus far. I am going to stick to my basics of line and length.

On 1996 and now: Arjuna had a typical style of leading the side. And now Mahela has his own style. I think our bowling is much stronger. Lasith Malinga has really worked hard. He takes wickets and that helps me to build pressure. Murali is class apart. He is a special bowler and the Australians don't like him as bowler.

On Saturday's gameplan: Handling pressure and playing good cricket for 100 overs are key elements for me. They are not going to play bad cricket. We have to play superior cricket for longer periods of time to put them under pressure. But we are going to enjoy ourselves. I heard the Sri Lankan team is going to get massive support from the crowd. That is great news. Let's hope we can play good cricket to entertain the huge crowd. And most importantly keep our people happy back home.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport