Sri Lankans not overawed, but 'awe'some for others

St.George's (Grenada), Apr 15 (UNI) Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene has asserted that there is no pressure on his team on the eve of their match against defending champion Australia in the Super Eight league of the cricket World Cup here tomorrow.

''We are under no pressure,''a confident Jayawardene told media persons after his team's work out. ''We have to play our own style of - the Lanka brand of cricket- and keep ourselves focused,'' adding ''We have beaten Australia a couple of times on their home turf.'' Asked if beating Australia will increase his belief in winning the World Cup, the skipper replied ''Well we have not thought about it so far. We have played them before so it is not as if we are facing them for the first time.'' To a query about the reasons for Australia's continuing domination, Jayawardene said,''They have a strong side. Their batting is strong and the top order has delivered, they (top order) always give the side a good start and this is the one area we have to think about and to add to it they have a balanced bowling attack.'' Meanwhile, South Africa's defeat at the hands of New Zealand here has given embattled England a chance at a semi-final slot besides ensuring a place in the semi-finals for the Islanders. The Proteas remain marooned on six points after wins over Sri Lanka, Ireland and the West Indies and appear to have lost their way somewhat.

This is good news for Michael Vaughan's team. Had the Proteas managed to beat New Zealand, both teams would have been through to the semi-finals with eight points.

Now, however, it has all changed with three teams -- South Africa, England and the West Indies in with a shot at that last semi-final slot.

According to England opener Andrew Strauss,''When we take the field against South Africa we'll be four wins from winning the World Cup. That's what we've got to look to. We can almost play with more freedom because we're in that situation.'' England next play South Africa in Barbados on Tuesday, in what could prove to be a direct shoot-out for a semi-final place, and Straus said,''We know what we've got to do. We know our strategy works if we execute it properly and it's just a question of going out and doing it now. It's the business end of the World Cup and this is what we play for.

''The guys that have really gone out and played well and the ones that have gone out there with a carefree attitude and taken the game to the opposition. We recognise that if you play with too much fear it's very unhelpful and we're going to stay away from playing like that and go out and enjoy it.'' ''Every game is a must-win game now and there's no point in leaving anything in the locker. We have to go out with a positive frame of mind that we're going to take these teams on,'' Straus said.

UNI