ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies 2007
Star absences puzzle Aussies
Afp, St George's
Australia's Andrew Symonds admitted he was stunned to see Sri Lanka rest frontline bowlers Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralidaran from their World Cup Super Eights clash on Monday.Symonds smashed an unbeaten 63 as the world champions wrapped up a comfortable seven-wicket win at the Grenada National Stadium. Both sides had already made sure of their places in the semifinals but Monday's result made it almost certain that Sri Lanka will avoid the defending champions in the last four and will probably face New Zealand in Jamaica. Australia, as probable Super Eights winners, look destined to play their semifinal in St Lucia against either South Africa or England although West Indies still have an outside chance of getting through. "It's not the way we would have done it but they're a different team," said Symonds on the decision to rest Vaas and Muralidaran. "They are key players. It can affect confidence when you do that." Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene defended the decision to rest the duo which immediately weakened an attack already without injured seamer Lasith Malinga. "We have to do what's best for the team and that's why we took the decision," said Jayawardene. "We use our personnel on and off and we have to make sure we have the guys ready for the semifinals." He subsequently told a news conference that Murali had been nursing a groin problem and Vaas needed a break as the side couldn't afford another injury to one of their bowlers with Malinga already sidelined. Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who top-scored with 66 and shared an unbroken century stand with Symonds for the third wicket, said it was important that the same players stayed on course for the final. "Right at this moment it's all about momentum. We've played some good cricket and we're looking to carry that momentum into the semifinals," said Ponting. Monday's win was Australia's 20th successive World Cup win, and made it almost certain that they would top the Super Eights table with a perfect record. "It's coming together nicely. We've played some really good cricket right through the tournament," added the Australia skipper. "Our batting was again very good and another good start gave a platform for the rest of the guys to chip away." He also praised spinner Brad Hogg who now has 15 wickets in the tournament. "He used his variations well," said Ponting. "He's a vital wicket-taker." Australia face New Zealand in their last Super Eights game here on Friday.
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