Friday, March 30, 2007

Reborn Aussies aim to extend run

World Cup Super 8, Antigua: Australia v Bangladesh
Match starts 1430 BST Saturday

Glenn McGrath in action in the West Indies
McGrath should overhaul Wasim Akram's World Cup wickets record
Both Australia and Bangladesh have no fresh injury worries ahead of their World Cup Super 8 encounter in Antigua.

Australia went into the tournament on the back of five defeats in a row.

But they have won all four matches in the West Indies by big margins and are looking to stretch their World Cup unbeaten run to 23 matches.

"All of a sudden we appear pretty frightening again when just two weeks ago everyone felt we weren't," said Australia captain Ricky Ponting.

Veteran Australian seamer Glenn McGrath goes into the game just one wicket short of Pakistan paceman Wasim Akram's World Cup record of 55 wickets.

"Claiming a couple of more wickets and going past Akram will be something special," said the 37-year-old.

Australia are chasing a third World Cup victory in a row and McGrath finds it hard to believe anyone will stop them in their quest.

We're not here to make up the numbers
Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar
"If we go and play the way we have I can't really see any team getting close to us," he insisted. "We've been so successful over such a long time, we know how to win, what we've got to do.

"When you walk on the field you just have to look around you - there are some amazing players, some of the greats of all time. It does give you a lot of confidence."

Australia have won 11 of their 12 ODIs against Bangladesh but the Tigers pulled off a stunning five-wicket victory against the world champions in Cardiff in 2005.

McGrath took 0-43 off 10 overs in that match while Mohammad Ashraful, who has yet to be dismissed after three innings in this tournament, although he only has 82 runs to his name, scored a fine century.

Bangladesh are surprise qualifiers for the Super 8 stage after knocking out neighbours India but captain Habibul Bashar wants his side to prove it was no fluke, starting against Australia.

"Making the Super 8s is a momentous step for Bangladesh cricket, we've played well to be here," he said.

"We want to continue our good performance and are seeking to post some victories - we're not here to make up the numbers."


Australia (probable): Adam Gilchrist (wk), Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Michael Hussey, Shane Watson, Brad Hogg, Nathan Bracken, Shaun Tait, Glenn McGrath.

Bangladesh (from): Habibul Bashar (capt), Mohammad Ashraful, Aftab Ahmed, Tapash Baisya, Saqibal Hasan, Shahadat Hossain, Tamim Iqbal, Mashrafe Mortaza, Javed Omar, Shahriar Nafees, Mohammad Rafique, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Syed Rasal, Abdur Razzak, Rajin Saleh.

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