We will tackle Murali and Malinga, asserts Ponting

Bridgetown (Barbados), Apr 26 (UNI) Australia skipper Ricky Ponting today asserted that his batsmen were capable of handling Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and fast bowler Lasith Malinga in the Cricket World Cup final here on Saturday.

''Yes, Murali is a good spinner, but we have very good batsmen who can handle him,'' Ponting said, adding that he was more focused on his team's strategy for the final.

''We did not have a chance to play Murali or Lasith in the Super Eight league because they did not play against us, but that does not mean that we should worry about that factor only,'' Ponting said.

He admitted that Sri Lanka was a very good side. ''They have some good batsmen and good bowlers, there is no doubt about that,'' but added ''it is the World Cup final and we are ready for it.'' He dismissed the talk of grudge final saying, ''Sri Lanka beat us in 1996, but after that we have won the Cup twice in succession, so where is the question of Grudge. We have played and beaten Sri Lanka many a time.'' Ponting exuded confidence of retaining the title for the third time in a row.

''The way we have 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 rested three of their key bowlers but they had the full batting order but they collapsed.'' ''We are concentrating on the final which I am confident that we will win,'' he said.

UNI