Aussies in excellent form, says Steve Waugh (28 October 1998)

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

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