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Expect an all-out attack, says Ponting

Ricky Ponting says Sanath Jayasuriya and Co. can expect a barrage of short-pitched deliveries from Brett Lee

Cricinfo staff
09-Feb-2006


Fired up: Brett Lee is expected to go all out against Sanath Jayasuriya © Getty Images
Ahead of tomorrow's first VB Series final against Sri Lanka at the Adelaide Oval, Ricky Ponting says Sanath Jayasuriya and Co. can expect a barrage of short-pitched deliveries from Brett Lee.
"We'll use some changes of pace through the innings and Sanath can expect some short stuff as well. It's important we start the game off well, they're a very good front-running side and when they get started they can be hard to peg back with bat and ball so we've got to start really well," Ponting told AFP. "You can't afford to give him width, (Kumar) Sangakkara is similar as well in that they're very strong square of the wicket. And Adelaide Oval, the way it is, you've got to look to bowl pretty straight."
Jayasuriya hit 114 off 96 deliveries in Sri Lanka's earlier win over Australia, but Ponting remained confident of restraining him. "Looking at the way they've played their cricket, the toss is going to be pretty important because they'll want to bat first."
Tom Moody, Sri Lanka's coach, is, however, unperturbed. "I know teams in the past have targeted that area (with short balls) with Sanath and there's times he may have felt uncomfortable and others when he's got runs very quickly," Moody said. "So if that's the plan, that's the plan they'll go with and with short boundaries square of the wicket, we'll see who comes off best."
Moody also said that Glenn McGrath's absence - the fast bowler is with his wife as she undergoes further cancer treatment -- would be missed. "Certainly (losing) someone with the experience Glenn has, there's going to be a lot of responsibility on who partners Brett (Lee), and who follows the opening attack," he added.