Australia still the best bet for gold

29/08/1998

JUDGING by the entries sent to Sukom, Australia look set to walk away with
the cricket gold at the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games.
World champions Sri Lanka and India have yet to submit their list of
names, while Pakistan have named their second-stringers.
The Pakistan list confirmed the organisers' worst fears when they
reserved their best players for the Sahara Cup against India in Toronto on
Sept 12-20.
The Pakistani team to the Games have only six former Test players and
three internationals.
But the good news is that Australia will be turning out in force.
Skipper Steve Waugh, will lead twin brother Mark, Adam Gilchrist, Glenn
McGrath, Michael Kasprowicz, Damien Fleming, Tom Moody, and Ricky Ponting
among others.
It should be a breeze for Australia in their opening match against
Canada but they could encounter resistance when they meet Antigua, who
have Test stalwart Curtly Ambrose, former West Indies captain Richie
Richardson, Kenneth and Winston Benjamin and Eldine Baptiste.
The South Africans in Group C will not be denied a spot in the
semifinals, especially with players like skipper Shaun Pollock, Adam
Bacher, Jacques Kallis, Makhaya Ntini, Paul Adams and wicketkeeper Mark
Boucher.
Sri Lanka, who are reputed to be the masters of the limited-overs
format, will take on hosts Malaysia in the opening match on Sept 9.
Sri Lanka and Malaysia are in Group A with Jamaica and Zimbabwe. The
Australians have Canada, Antigua and India for company in Group B.
Group C comprises South Africa, Northern Ireland, Bangladesh and
Barbados. Group D consists of Pakistan, Scotland, Kenya and New Zealand.
(END)