CENTURION, South Africa, 14 March 2003 — Rival captains Saurav Ganguly of India and Stephen Fleming of New Zealand played down the hype over today’s World Cup clash, saying they preferred to forget the past and concentrate on the present.

Fleming had on Wednesday reminded the Indians of the drubbing they received during the recent Test tour of New Zealand and hoped “we can open up some of the wounds we opened then.”

Ganguly’s men were thrashed 2-0 in the Tests and 5-2 in the one-dayers on the tour of New Zealand in December-January amid complaints of poor wickets heavily tilted in favor of the bowlers.

But the Indians put aside the disappointment of that tour to win seven of their eight World Cup matches so far and book a place in the semifinals alongside Australia and Kenya.

The Kiwis, on the other hand, must defeat India at the Centurion today to grab the fourth spot, leaving Sri Lanka out in the cold.

“Fleming can say what he likes, at the end of the day everyone knows where the two teams stand,” Ganguly told a media conference. “We have no point to prove. We are in the semifinals and the Kiwis have to beat us to get there.”

Fleming, himself, chose to underplay his earlier words, but stressed his team had a good chance to defeat India. “I don’t think there are any wounds to be reopened,” he said. “What happened in New Zealand is history, its gone. But if you had told me six months ago that we would have to play India for a place in the semifinals, I would take it any day.

“The Indians have played good cricket at the World Cup and it is up to us to match them.”

Ganguly, assured of a semifinal against surprise opponents Kenya at Durban next Thursday, said his team will not take the New Zealand game lightly. “You have to look at this game in the whole context of the tournament,” he said.

“If we beat New Zealand, then Sri Lanka has a good chance to be in the semifinals and we all know the Lankans are a very handy side. So this is not just another game. A lot depends on how this match goes.”

Ganguly downplayed the threat from fast bowler Shane Bond, who took 6-23 against Australia at Port Elizabeth on Tuesday. “We have played better fast bowling attacks than New Zealand’s and beaten them,” he said. “We beat both Pakistan and England and they have very good attacks as well. Bond can bowl only 10 overs and we have to ensure we get through them well.”

Fleming, meanwhile, was confident his team can pull off a win and get to the semifinals. “It’s not a bad scenario really. You know when you need to win you are generally at your best,” he said.

India Eye Tactical Victory Over New Zealand

India believe victory over New Zealand will give them a better chance of winning the tournament, captain Ganguly said yesterday. Ganguly told a news conference that Sri Lanka, who qualify for the semifinals if New Zealand lose and they then beat Zimbabwe, had the ability to upset defending champions Australia in the semifinals.

“We want to win this because it settles a lot of combinations,” Ganguly said. “It gives Sri Lanka an opportunity to qualify for the semifinals. They could be a handy side in Port Elizabeth where the ball has turned a lot.”

Ganguly said he might reshuffle his batting order today to give all his batsmen an opportunity before the semifinals. “That is an option we definitely are looking into. We want all our batsmen to be in good touch before we go to Durban,” he said.

“The pressure is on New Zealand,” he said. “Pakistan have a better attack and we beat them. Even England’s pace attack was very good and we beat them under lights in Durban. So there is no reason for us to panic tomorrow.”

Ganguly added he was looking forward to meeting Kenya in the semifinals. “I’ve got to be honest,” he said. “It is better than facing other sides like South Africa or West Indies. We will have to play well. Kenya have played well in this World Cup and luck has gone their way. We have to be really, really up for the game because they have surprised quite a few teams. We don’t want to be surprised.”

Fleming Shrugs Off Pressure

New Zealand will feel no special pressure against India today after spending almost the entire World Cup with their backs to the wall, captain Stephen Fleming said yesterday.

“It’s the same scenario,” he told a news conference. “We have to play one more good game. It’s the same as it’s been since we lost our opening match against Sri Lanka. We have been up against the wall the whole time.”

New Zealand sneaked into the second round when South Africa, needing to win their final Group B game, could only tie with Sri Lanka in a rain-affected day-nighter in Durban. Then Fleming’s team, needing to win one of their last two Super Six games to get to the final four, reduced world champions Australia to 84 for seven in Port Elizabeth only to collapse themselves and lose by 96 runs.

“I think we played our poorest cricket when we had to beat Australia. We lost and now we are back in familiar territory,” Fleming said.

Fleming said he hoped express paceman Shane Bond, who took six for 23 against Australia, would produce a similar match-winning effort on the bouncier SuperSport Park pitch.

“If there is pace in the wicket here I would like to use it again,” he said. “Shane needs to do it again tomorrow.” Fleming also called for more support from his batsmen and other bowlers.

“We are looking for other bowlers to stand up,” he said. “As for batting, we need one player to shine and others to stand around.”

Fleming said all rounder Chris Cairns would be an important pace option today. Cairns has only bowled eight overs in the tournament after recovering from knee surgery.

The New Zealand skipper said he had no regrets forfeiting the Kenya game. “We are not in a bad situation because of that,” he said. “If anyone had told me six months ago that we would be playing India to go through to the semifinals, I would have taken it any day.

“After the ICC (International Cricket Council) did not relocate the game, I think we have done very well. It is an unusual situation. I am pleased for Kenya winning yesterday and justifying their place in the Super Six. But we will go through feeling a little heavier about the Kenyan decision.

“Those four points were going to be crucial in any competition. It would be wrong to say we don’t feel any animosity at losing those points, but it was a strong decision by New Zealand Cricket and it was a right one.”

Sehwag Targets First Cup Century Vs. New Zealand

India opening batsman Virender Sehwag is hoping for a first World Cup hundred to lead his team to victory over New Zealand tomorrow. “I am ready for New Zealand,” he said. “I hope to get a hundred.” India, already in the semifinals, return to the ground where they beat Pakistan by six wickets in the first round, having earlier suffered their one defeat at the venue, against defending champions Australia.

Arab News Sports 14 March 2003