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India urged to exploit Aussie weaknesses

(China Daily)
Updated: 2011-03-22 07:56

In-form Yuvraj looking forward to showdown with defending World Cup champion

CHENNAI, India - India star Yuvraj Singh has told his teammates to seize the moment and capitalize on Australia's vulnerability when the teams meet in Thursday's World Cup quarterfinal.

Yuvraj scored a century and took two wickets with his left-arm spinners as India beat the West Indies by a convincing 80 runs on Sunday to set up a last-eight clash against champion Australia in Ahmedabad.

India will go into the match buoyed by victory, Australia - aiming for a fourth successive World Cup title and fifth in all - suffered a four-wicket loss to Pakistan last time out where it was bowled out for just 176.

Defeat ended Australia's 34-match unbeaten streak at the World Cup dating back to 1999 and it was its batting, particularly the poor form of captain Ricky Ponting, that encouraged Yuvraj.

Ponting fell for 19 and in five innings at this World Cup has managed just 102 runs in all with a best of 36.

Not that Yuvraj, who hadn't turned two when India won its lone World Cup title back in 1983, was writing off Australia's chances completely.

"They've won four games at this World Cup. Teams are equal at the moment, it's just who plays better on the day," said Yuvraj, whose 113 was the centerpiece of India's 268 all out against the West Indies.

"Australia are a top side, they've won three successive World Cups but Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden are not there.

"You can get into the middle -order and Ponting is not in great form. If we can get into their weaknesses, we can win the quarterfinal."

Injuries and loss of form have blighted Yuvraj's career in recent times.

But runs - he'd also scored three fifties - and wickets have come his way at the World Cup where he has been named man-of-the-match in three of India's four wins to date.

Sunday's innings was especially pleasing for Yuvraj as it marked his first ODI hundred in nearly two years, since he made 131 against the West Indies in Kingston in June, 2009.

"Batting at No 4, you get an opportunity you don't get at five," explained Yuvraj, who battled stomach cramps that led to vomiting during the course of his innings.

"I wanted to hit the ball down the ground and not in the air."

India can expect to be roared on by a partisan crowd in Ahmedabad but Yuvraj, while grateful for the support, said motivation was primarily a personal issue.

"You are playing a World Cup quarterfinal for your country - you have to give 100 percent. It's the moment of our lives, the moment you live for as a cricketer."

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 03/22/2011 page22)