‘Going in as underdogs good’

Chris DHAMBARAGE

Legendary off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan believes that going into the World Cup as the underdogs will help Sri Lanka to perform much better and repeat their 1996 performance in the sub continent.

Sri Lanka who were the champions in 1996 and runners-up in 2007, are co-hosting the ICC showpiece event with India and Bangladesh, with the opening match in Dhaka on February 19.

Sri Lanka are in Group A with defending champions Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Canada and Kenya, with the top four sides qualifying for the quarterfinals.

Muralitharan stated that India, Australia and South Africa have been tipped as the hot favourites ahead of the tournament and these teams will be under tremendous pressure during the preliminary round. The 38 year old world record holder in both Test (800) and One Day Internationals (519) noted that they were the underdogs in 1996 as well and went on to win the World Cup defeating Australia in the final.

However Muralitharan said that the situation may be slightly different this time but still the team would like to start their campaign as just another side in the tournament.

Muralitharan also said that his team should not lower their guard against smaller teams competing in the tournament. “Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, we know these teams, who the players are, and their form. But we don’t know about Kenya, Canada and Zimbabwe and they can cause a surprise.

“We can’t call these smaller team’s minnows anymore, because they have surprised stronger teams in the past,” added Muralitharan, who has retired from Tests and will leave one-day cricket after the World Cup.

He also said that there will be no additional pressure to perform well despite playing at home in his fifth and final World Cup tournament.

“There is nothing extra. The pressure is always the same. Without pressure, we can’t perform. It is always good to win.”

Muralitharan further noted that the team would have loved to play their qualifying round match against New Zealand in Colombo rather than travelling to Mumbai for their match on March 18.

He stated that it was most unfortunate that two great players in the caliber of Sanath Jayasuriya and Chaminda Vaas missed out on selection having served their country for such a long period.

Muralitharan also believe that the best players should always bat in the top order as they are the most experienced players who could build up a match winning total.