‘Don’t want Wi to peak too early’
Sydney: West Indies team manager Richie Richardson has said he is not worried about his side’s dismal form in their defeat to England in a warm-up fixture Monday, insisting he didn’t want the team “to peak too early” for the World Cup. The two-time World Champions were handed a crushing nine-wicket loss by England at the Sydney Cricket Ground here. They got off to a terrible start, being reduced to 67/6 inside 18 overs, and never recovered from the setback with none of their batsmen failing to register even a half century. “It wasn’t a very good start. But it’s not about the start, it’s about the finish. We don’t want to peak too early,” Richardson was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. The former Windies captain said that the manner of the defeat didn’t reflect the true capability of the team. “This performance tonight is no reflection of how we’ve been training or anything about the mood in the camp. We have worked really hard. It is just very strange that England got the better of us. It’s just one of those things. We have prepared well,” he added.
Chameera to replace Dhammika
Colombo: Sri lanka has nominated Dushmantha Chameera as replacement for the injured Dhammika Prasad at the upcoming World Cup. The 23 year-old fast bowler has represented Sri lanka in only one one-day match, taking two wickets. Prasad was ruled out of the World Cup last Saturday because of a fractured hand, an injury he sustained when he attempted a return catch at practice.
will be fit for WC opener: Malinga
Wellington: Sri lanka fast bowler lasith Maliga has declared himself fit to play against New Zealand in the opening match of the Cricket World Cup on Saturday. An ankle injury prevented Maliga from playing in Sri lanka’s seven-match one-day series against New Zealand in the lead-up to the world tournament but he told reporters Sunday he is ready to return. Malinga is likely to play in Sri lanka’s World Cup warm-up matches against South Africa in Christchurch on Monday and Zimbabwe on Wednesday. Sri lanka captain Angelo Mathews said Malinga was “back to full fitness. He’s doing everything 100 percent, he’ll be 100 percent for the games.” Maliga was less emphatic, saying “I’m getting used to the pain because I really want to play in this World Cup. If there’s pain, it doesn’t matter. I want to play. ... I’m not sure of the pace and how that’s going, but I’ve got good rhythm and a good run up.”
Smith ready to bat at any position
Adelaide: Steven Smith said on Monday he’s willing to bat at any position for the team in the World Cup. Questions have risen regarding the in-form batsman’s ideal batting position, particularly with captain Michael Clarke batting at number four and all-rounder Shane Watson occupying the No.3 spot. Smith is averaging 74.44 in 12 ODIs since October 1 last year, and his three career hundreds have all come in that period, all of them were scored at No.3 or No.4. However, the return of Watson at No.3 takes Smith away from his preferred slot. But Smith was unperturbed as to his batting position. “I’m not too bothered where I’m batting,” Smith was quoted as saying by news.com.au. “I just have to keep doing what I’m doing and that’s scoring runs wherever I’m batting. I’m happy to bat wherever.”
Time for England to step up: Buttler
Johannesburg: Jos Buttler on Monday said his might be a new generation of English cricketers who are “exciting”, but they need match-winning performances now rather than hopeful talk of what the future might hold. Experienced players such as Alastair Cook, Graeme Swann, Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen have all departed, and although there is genuine excitement about the new generation, they face the prospect of being taught a cricketing lesson Down Under. “It is a much younger but probably more inexperienced and exciting side. ‘Exciting’ and ‘development’ are great words but now we know we have to perform,” the 24-year-old was quoted as saying by espncricinfo.com. “That doesn’t really wash any more. It is about being in a tournament, winning games of cricket, getting to a quarter-final and then getting as far as we can.”
Clarke to play warm-up vs UAE
Melbourne: Australia captain Michael Clarke will play in the warm-up game against the United Arab Emirates Wednesday as he intensifies his endeavour to be fit for the World Cup. Coach Darren lehmann said that if Clarke gets through training Tuesday he will play against UAE in the final warm-up game before the World Cup starts February 14. “Michael, if he gets through training tomorrow hopefully, he will play the trial game Wednesday so that is a pleasing thing for us. He is training. So now it’s a case of getting him up to speed with the fielding and away he goes from there,” lehmann was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald. The coach said important all-rounder James Faulkner will bat in the nets Tuesday as he recovers from injury but he would definitely miss the England game. “He is going OK (but) he won’t play the first game,” lehmann said. “Everyone has them - injuries - you just have to deal with it, we have some good depth and some good players that miss out so that is a good sign. At the moment they are ticking along nicely.”
Marsh confident
Melbourne: Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh Monday said he is “pretty confident” of filling in for injured James Faulkner, who is expected to be fit till the side’s third World Cup match against co-hosts New Zealand February 28. Faulkner suffered a side strain Feb 1. The team’s medical staff has not given a firm estimate of his expected recovery time. It is expected the left-arm seamer will miss both the Feb 14 opener against England and the Feb 21 match against Bangladesh. In that case, the 23-year-old will have the responsibility of doubling up as the four-time world champions’ second ace all-rounder after Shane Watson. “I’m pretty confident, I’d obviously like to fill that role. It’s going to be fun and if I get a bit of an opportunity hopefully I can take it,” Marsh was quoted as saying by news.com.au. The 23-year-old, however, picked up figures of none for 38 from the six overs he bowled and scored 21 runs against India in their warm up game in Adelaide, which the home side clinched by 106 runs Sunday.