World Cup will be most open yet, says Moody

CRICKET: Sri Lanka coach Tom Moody believes the 2007 World Cup will be the most open yet.

“This World Cup is really open. I know that’s kind of a cliche that has been thrown around for a while now, but actually it’s quite true,” said Moody, who was in the winning Australian team under Steve Waugh in 1999.

“I believe Sri Lanka has as good a chance as any other team to win this World Cup. We just have to knuckle down and take our chances and prove our worth. We have to adjust to the conditions here as quick as possible and bring our ‘A’ game every time we play.”

Sri Lanka play two warm-up matches here against Scotland and New Zealand on March 5 and 9 before heading to Trinidad for their first round matches against India, Bangladesh and Bermuda.

Moody told www.westindiescricket.com that the tournament will also lead to the emergence of new stars.

“In situations like these some players tend to come to the fore in a big way and I expect a few guys to announce themselves during the upcoming weeks,” the 41-year-old said.

“We have prepared very well for this World Cup and we have a strong group of 15 players with us and they are confident that they can deliver over the next seven weeks.”

Sri Lanka are chasing their second World Cup having won the title in 1996.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Sunday (AFP)