AUSTRALIA V SRI LANKA W/CUP FINAL

[mal]

What a final.
I think whoever bats first and gets 275+ will be favoured to win.
Both have some potent bowlers who can defend a total.
The pitch will be the key
If its a true pitch Australia look the winners
If its a slow deck the curry munchers will be a formidable competitor
Very important that the top order take Muralichuckerathans 10 overs
If he has a crack at HUSSEY/WATSON/HOGG and the tail hmn.....
MALinga and Tait are the finds of the w/cup.

My predictions
AU win
MOST RUNS AU : HAYDEN
MOST RUNS SL : SANGAKARA
MOST WKTS AU : OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH
MOST WKTS SL : MALinga

PS good decision by SL to rest thier players, they made the final

[Rik E Boy]

REB's effort..

Winner: Australia
Most runs: Ponting, Jawardene
Most wickets: Hogg, Murali

I've watched Sangakarra bat a few times in this world cup and he has looked very average at times. Nobody is picking Hogg and Jawardene (yeah I think there is a Y in there somewhere) is a real threat because unlike the South Africans he has the temperament to build an innings and the ability to increase the rate when required.

regards,

REB

[MightyEagles]

I understand that the pitch is like the ones we here in Australia, which works in our favour.

[rod_rooster]

Australia will smash them even with the burden of carrying Shane Watson

[Aerie]

Hooray - finally we've got to the last game of the most drawn out and boring World Cup in the history of any sport.

Sri Lanka look to be stronger than at any point in their history. In Malinga they look to have a pace bowler worthy of accompanying Chaminda Vaas - who has been a great player for many years. Of course they also have Murali who can turn the game if the Aussie batsman are under pressure. Fernando has been dropped for Maharoof and in Dilshan and Jayasuriya they look strong enough to at least be competitive for 50 overs.

Their batting has improved with the introduction of Tharanga, who is the perfect partner for the dangerous Jayasuriya. Sangakarra is the best keeper/batsman in world cricket at the moment and Jayawardene is class and is in form with a century in the Semi Final. If Australia don't get early wickets Sri Lanka have the players to score a big score of 250+.

I still think if Australia perform anywhere near their best, they will be too good for Sri Lanka. No one has really challenged the Aussie's this tournament, but IMO Sri Lanka are the best of the rest and are worthy challengers for the Australians. I expect the Australians to send off the great Glenn McGrath in the most appropriate fashion - as the best team in the world. This match will be worth staying up for.

[Thiele]

Go the Aussies

[Dog_ger]

AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE

Ozzy Ozzy Ozzy

[Aerie]

AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE

Ozzy Ozzy Ozzy

You called?

[Hafey]

I wouldnt be underestimating Sri Lanka , dont get me wrong i think Australia will win but with a potent top order and a bowling line up that includes Murli , Vass & Malinga anything is possible on the night .

Sri Lanka rested Malinga & Murli in there last game against us and we havent got a look at them this tournament , Malinga is capable of doing some serious damage to our top order .

[sydney-dog]

Most wickets will definitely go to a paceman, quick and bouncey wicket

for me, Sri Lanka are the only team with some big guns that can worry Aust

Great Final

[Rik E Boy]

I wouldnt be underestimating Sri Lanka , dont get me wrong i think Australia will win but with a potent top order and a bowling line up that includes Murli , Vass & Malinga anything is possible on the night .

Sri Lanka rested Malinga & Murli in there last game against us and we havent got a look at them this tournament , Malinga is capable of doing some serious damage to our top order .

I don't think any of our batsmen have seen Malinga. Pup reckons it would be like facing Tait but when one bloke bowls from a low centre of gravity and the other from bloody right angles I can't see how this is the case. Yep, I rate Sri Lanka as well.

regards,

REB

[Rik E Boy]

Most wickets will definitely go to a paceman, quick and bouncey wicket

for me, Sri Lanka are the only team with some big guns that can worry Aust

Great Final

Bouncy tracks can also assist the spinners siddernee. I reckon Hogg will do some damage as will Murali.

regards,

REB

[Dogwatcher]

I don't think any of our batsmen have seen Malinga.

Malinga played against Australia in the top end series that Murali didn't play in a couple of years ago.
But still, there's been a big change in the side since then.

This is the final I tipped back in Jan/Feb.

I'm looking forward to it.

Underestimate the Lankans at your own peril - unlike the other nations, they can get up for big games.

[magpie in the 80's]

word has it that the final could be interupted by rain. hope it doesn't come down to a shortened game and then decided by the duckworth/lewis system

[smac]

Agreed, would be good if they had a day spare for rain interruptions.

[Rik E Boy]

Agreed, would be good if they had a day spare for rain interruptions.

That's a good idea smaccer. That is precisely why the ICC won't have one.

regards,

REB

[RoosterMarty]

Surely they have a spare day for rain? They have had spare days during the tournament, like when we played the Windies for instance.

[mal]

Surely they have a spare day for rain? They have had spare days during the tournament, like when we played the Windies for instance.

A spare day, where from , they only just got there !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IN MARCH

[Thiele]

We have delayed start to the game.

Both teams the same for the final

[rod_rooster]

This looks set to be a rain interrupted final. Hopefully it doesn't turn into a farce.