Neither Sri Lanka nor New Zealand will be looking at past results ahead of their semifinal clash, to be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium here on Tuesday.
New Zealand qualified for this stage with a quarterfinal upset of South Africa at Mirpur, while Sri Lanka romped into the last four with a ten-wicket destruction of England in Colombo.
“It's going to be a new day, what's happened before is gone. We have to keep our heads, stay focussed and not play for the crowd. It appeared all too easy against England, but the kind of opening partnership (the 231 between Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan) we had does not come too often,” said Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara on Monday.
Sangakkara said that a decision on the inclusion of spin ace Muttiah Muralitharan, who is suffering from a troublesome quadriceps, would be taken on the morning of the game, and only then would the possibility of a three-way spin attack be considered.“Everybody around Murali has been trying to get him match-fit. It's a crunch game and I hope he plays...It's an on-going assessment and we'll take a call in the morning. Also, teams around the world have become better against spin and we can't just expect to go out and bowl and expect things to turn our way,” he said.
Murali did not practise on Monday, since he has been advised complete rest to speed up his recovery.
Amazing achievement
Meanwhile, New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori, who will step down as captain after the tournament, said his team would fight hard to make its first final.
“I look at the positives of making the semifinals. Everyone wants to talk about our record of making them and not going on any further, but I think it's an amazing achievement for a small country… and hopefully our recent experience at ICC tournaments, with the Champions Trophy we went one step further and made the final against Australia. So we can look on that and hope it's a starting point for us going past the semis,” he said.
Vettori said the team was on a high after its quarterfinal win, and that coach John Wright had been instrumental in getting it back on track.
Pat for Wright
“I think there's a positive mindset within the group…but we can't afford to be up and down in the knockout stages. We know how strong Sri Lanka can be in their home conditions. John's been fantastic for us, I've loved working with him and he's brought a lot of passion to the team, and his knowledge of people over here and grounds has been a tremendous help as well.
“I don't think there are any favourites for Tuesday. Who are the batsmen who can stand up and who's the bowler who can have a great day and get the wickets of Sangakkara and (Mahela) Jayawardene? Because that's going to make the difference rather than being a favourite team,” Vettori said.
Vettori was also appeared to be mentally prepared to surrender the captaincy after the World Cup.
“I thought I was lucky enough to captain the team for four years. I'll be 32 so I think it's time for someone new to come in. After four years, some fresh ideas and a different voice...That's the way I've looked at it the whole way along.”
