Jayasuriya promises 'tough time' for Ponting and Co

Bridgetown, Barbados, Apr 27 (UNI) Sri Lanka opener Sanath Jayasuriya today promised Australia a tough time in the final of Cricket World cup here tomorrow saying '' there is no looking back for us and the Aussies won't have it easy''.

''It doesn't matter what they bowl to me. I have been around long enough in international cricket to face any sort of bowling. If they bounce me, I can pull and hook as well,'' Jayasuriya told media persons.

Earlier, Australian captain Ricky Ponting had hinted at a press conferences that Jayasuriya is the key to Sri Lanka's batting and the only way to go after him is to let loose your fastest bowler at him.

''It's not as if we haven't played on bouncier pitches. We also have fast bowlers who can take advantage of the conditions. In any case we feel we have batters who can handle that sort of bowling,'' the 37-year-old Jayasuriya, who is probably playing his last World Cup said.

The swashbuckling batsman was upbeat with his team's form and lavishly praised skipper Mahela Jayawardene whose century guided the Lankan Lions' win over New Zealand in the first semi-final in Kingston, Jamaica on Tuesday.

''It was one of the best hundreds I have seen. It came under pressure and the situation was intense. The team is also very happy because we needed it at that time,'' he said.

Jayasuriya, who with 387 ODI's under his belly, is the highest capped player in the history of the game, but he believes in this World Cup he is batting as good as he has ever batted in his life.

''I feel I am batting as well as I did in 1996. The time between 2003 and 2005 was particularly hard for me, it wasn't that great for me. But I picked myself up and have done some adjustments to my batting. Now I feel I am batting as well as I ever have.'' Walking on the footsteps of his Aussie counterpart Mathew Hayden, the Lankan opener also came hard on the scheduling of the mega event. He was of the view that the format of the Caribbena World Cup was far tougher than the one they played during the 1996 triumph.

''In this World Cup we palyed a lot of games to reach the semi-finals. It's not so easy, you have to play really well,'' he said.

Meanwhile, Jayasuriya's team mate of 1996 World Cup triumph Chaminda Vaas said, ''My job these days is to take early wickets.

The first 15 overs and the Power plays have made the game batting-dominated.'' ''The batsmen these days tend to go after bowlers. But if you bowl well, batsmen respect it,'' remarked Vaas who has taken 13 wickets in the ongoing tournament at a respectable average of 17.85.

Vaas also lauded praise on upcoming bowlers Lasith Malinga and Dilhara Fernando for their efforts, which according to him have taken pressure off his shoulders.

''They have bowled really well and released the pressure off me.

They are good bowlers. If you bowl in good areas, the batsmen also end up giving you respect,'' he said.

UNI