Sri Lanka can't stop Australia from lifting the Cup : Ponting

Beausejour, St.Lucia, Apr 26 (UNI) A confident Ricky Ponting said there was no way Sri Lanka can stop Australia from lifting the coveted Trophy for the third time in a row if they execute their plan for one last time in the finals on April 28.

''The way we had been playing in the last seven weeks, and if we can execute them in the field for the last time, we can not be defeated in the final by Sri Lanka,'' the Australian skipper said.

He said Australia hold the psychological advantage over Sri Lanka after defeating them comprehensively in their Super Eight encounter.

''They did rest three of their key bowlers against us but they had the full batting order but they collapsed and hence I am confident that we will the Cup,'' he said.

Glenn McGrath, who was also available for the post match conference said he had always enjoyed his duel with star batsman Sanath Jayasuriya.

''I know how he plays and where he hits. We would love to have him early and I am looking forward to meeting him,'' the leading wicket-taker of the showpiece event said. Man-of-the-Match in the semi-final, Ponting had a word of praise for the three Sri Lankan bowlers -- Vaas, Murali and Malinga but hastened to add ''it should not be a problem as we had been winning against them for long.'' ''All of them have been bowling well but I think we can handle them very well,'' the 'Punter' said.

McGrath, who bagged the Man-of-Match award in yesterday's semi-finals is licking his lips at the lively Barbados wicket, which he thinks will bring about the Islanders downfall as Aussies have an edge with Bracken, Tait and the 'Pigeon' himself bowling exceptionally well.

''We have definite edge over Sri Lanka in this aspect and it is a huge advantage,'' he said.

He, however, admitted that he enjoyed playing against South Africa more compared to Sri Lanka.

''But we are ready to take home the Cup,'' McGrath concluded.

UNI