Ponting to exploit cracks in Lankan line-up, says Lee glue holding Oz pace attack
March 5th, 2011 - 9:44 am ICT by ANIColombo, Mar.5 (ANI): Indicating that 34-year-old Brett Lee is the cornerstone of the Australian bowling attack for the ongoing World Cup, captain Ricky Ponting said he was looking forward to the veteran quick delivering the goods in Saturday’s World Cup Group A clash with Sri Lanka here.
Describing Lee as Australia’s best bowler in the recent one-day series win over England, Ponting said that the former was continuing that form in the World Cup following a successful comeback from elbow surgery.
He said Lee was the “glue” holding Australia’s pace attack together, allowing others such as Mitchell Johnson to take eight wickets in two games and grab the limelight.
“Brett has probably bowled as well in the last 10 games as he has in his career.He’s probably not his out-and-out express self that he was five or six years ago.But his pace has been good and he’s a bit more mature type of bowler now,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Ponting, as saying.
He added: “Having been exposed to a lot of Twenty20 cricket I think he understands his role in one-day cricket a bit better now than probably he ever did before. He has been very solid and consistent in taking wickets in most games for us at the top of our bowling innings.”
Lee has bowled beautifully without luck in Australia’s opening two World Cup wins over Zimbabwe and New Zealand, taking 2-63 from a total of 16 overs.
Australia’s unbeaten streak of 31 World Cup matches, dating back to May 23 1999, goes on the line in a big way at Premadasa Stadium, but a relaxed Ponting said he sees a few cracks in Sri Lanka’s line-up that he’s keen to exploit.
Sri Lanka have made a mixed start to the tournament, winning two games but going down to Pakistan by 11runs.
Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh are co-hosts of the six-week tournament which ends in Mumbai on April 2. (ANI)
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Tags: australian bowling, brett lee, captain ricky ponting, clash, cracks, delivering the goods, eight wickets, elbow surgery, glue, limelight, mitchell johnson, morning herald, mumbai, pace attack, ricky, s line, sydney morning herald, two games, unbeaten streak, world cup