Pakistan, Australia all keyed up for crucial opener

JOHANNESBURG - Pakistan and Australia may be as different as chalk and cheese as far as collective attitude towards the game and consistency are concerned. But both are equally eager to start off this 2003 World Cup in style. And as such both are a trifle wary of each other for their opening game here at Wanderers on Tuesday.

Ricky Ponting Photo © CricInfo

On the eve of the match, Waqar Younis was all poise and confidence. In a press conference, he conceded that it was an important game and admitted that the West Indies' upsetting South Africa's best-laid plans has provided some inspiration to end his team's rather miserable recent run against the Aussies.

"We've played against them in the past, and know what to expect. We're playing well, and we've won our warm-up games with comfort", warned Ricky Ponting, hinting that Australia was prepared for the crucial opener, which may well guarantee the winner a much-wanted spot in the Super Sixes.

For his part, Younis fired his warning in quiet and measured tones. "This is a different, full-strength Pakistan squad [than the one recently beaten by Australia]", said Younis, who in a roundabout way mentioned something to the effect that the boys were now fully charged to give a good display in this World Cup together as a team.

Waqar Younis Photo © CricInfo

To a question, Younis agreed that this was the last World Cup for himself and his partner-in-pace, Wasim Akram. And this too was egging them on to leave the world stage wrapped up in glory.

"Wasim has been bowling well at the nets, and would surely get the new ball, but we've not decided who would join him at the other end. It could be anyone between myself, Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami", said he.

With an embarrassment of riches in fast bowling at his disposal, Younis was non-committal whether he would opt for a four-pronged pace attack or bolster the batting by inducting a couple of all-rounders. "We've our game plan against Australia, and we've our game plan for this entire World Cup. But I'm not going to disclose what side we're going to field in the morning".

Unlike Australia, which had implied that it might opt for two spinners on a track that seemed to suit the slow bowlers, Younis however said that they weren't contemplating playing two spinners.

"We've looked at Australia's strengths and weaknesses, and we're aware that they have a few injury problems", said Younis, talking of the Aussie vulnerability.

No one could accuse him of being over-optimistic in this area. Though the Australian camp is saying that everybody other than Michael Bevan is fit, Shane Warne is considered to be way below his best after dislocating a shoulder midway through the Ashes. And so are Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie - all of whom have suffered multiple injuries and sat out games in recent times. Then Darren Lehmann too would remain on the bench because of the ICC ban. All this is bound to have put limits on the resources at Ricky Ponting's disposal.

Pakistan, which again had a long and gruelling training session Monday morning, only has one doubtful starter, Saeed Anwar. "He's fifty-fifty. He trained in the nets though", said Younis, mentioning that Shahid Afridi and Taufeeq Umar might open the batting on Tuesday.

The morale in the Pakistan camp is high, and they are all keyed up to take on Australia. "We are all at our peak and the team spirit is high. We would give it our best shot", said Younis.

Richard Pybus, the Pakistan coach, echoed similar sentiments, also hammering the 'back to full strength' vein. "We're back to full strength, and we've some exciting new talent. We had the opportunity to acclimatise ourselves with the conditions here. It would be a fantastic game", said he.

On paper, if the Australians have the edge in terms of professionalism and mental strength, Pakistan pack so much talent in their eleven that once it starts clicking together, it could destroy any team. Combined with this riches in talent along with their new-found self-belief and cohesion, Pakistani fans would be justified in hoping the team may turn things around in this vital game.