Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara had a simple message for his team on the eve of Saturday's World Cup final here against India: "Score more runs and take quick wickets" to give them the Cup a second time after 1996.
Sangakkara, who was part of the side that finished runners-up in 2007, called on his players to lift their performance. He did not want a repeat of the last World Cup final, when Sri Lanka was comprehensively beaten by Australia.
"We have to play tomorrow as well as we can. Four years back we were outdone by a fantastic innings by Adam Gilchrist. This time we won't allow that to happen and even if it happens, hopefully we will have the mental aptitude to adjust and get back in the game," Sangakkara said at the Wankhede Stadium.
"We have to keep ourselves grounded. Wednesday's strategy is very simple: score more runs and take quick wickets," he said.
The worry for Sangakkara are injuries to champion off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and key all-rounder Angelo Mathews. The 38-year-old off-spinner sustained hamstring, knee, groin and side injuries in the run-up to the final, while Mathews strained his quadriceps muscle in the semifinal. Veteran fast bowler Chaminda Vaas and off-spinner Suraj Randiv have been flown in as covers for the injured players.
"We have flown in covers for the injured players and we will make ongoing assessments as the day goes along. We will take a final decision by the evening as to who is fit to play and also decide on the combination of the team," Sangakkara said.
The captain is keeping his fingers crossed on Muralitharan, for whom Saturday's final would be his 350th and last ODI.
"Murali's presence is always valuable. He is a big match player. It's great to have him in the side. It will be great to have him tomorrow in the World Cup final," Sangakkara said.
"Whatever happens tomorrow we want to play for him and play for each other and do the best that we can."
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Sangakkara, who was part of the side that finished runners-up in 2007, called on his players to lift their performance. He did not want a repeat of the last World Cup final, when Sri Lanka was comprehensively beaten by Australia.
"We have to play tomorrow as well as we can. Four years back we were outdone by a fantastic innings by Adam Gilchrist. This time we won't allow that to happen and even if it happens, hopefully we will have the mental aptitude to adjust and get back in the game," Sangakkara said at the Wankhede Stadium.
"We have to keep ourselves grounded. Wednesday's strategy is very simple: score more runs and take quick wickets," he said.
The worry for Sangakkara are injuries to champion off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and key all-rounder Angelo Mathews. The 38-year-old off-spinner sustained hamstring, knee, groin and side injuries in the run-up to the final, while Mathews strained his quadriceps muscle in the semifinal. Veteran fast bowler Chaminda Vaas and off-spinner Suraj Randiv have been flown in as covers for the injured players.
"We have flown in covers for the injured players and we will make ongoing assessments as the day goes along. We will take a final decision by the evening as to who is fit to play and also decide on the combination of the team," Sangakkara said.
The captain is keeping his fingers crossed on Muralitharan, for whom Saturday's final would be his 350th and last ODI.
"Murali's presence is always valuable. He is a big match player. It's great to have him in the side. It will be great to have him tomorrow in the World Cup final," Sangakkara said.
"Whatever happens tomorrow we want to play for him and play for each other and do the best that we can."
Read more
