India eye victory over NZ

CENTURION: India believes victory over New Zealand in today’s World Cup Super Six match will give it a better chance of winning the tournament, captain Saurav Ganguly said yesterday.

Ganguly told a news conference that Sri Lanka, which qualifies for the semi-finals if New Zealand loses and it then beat Zimbabwe, had the ability to upset defending champions Australia in the semi-finals. “We want to win this because it settles a lot of combinations,” Ganguly said. “It gives Sri Lanka an opportunity to qualify for the semi-finals. They could be a handy side in Port Elizabeth where the ball has turned a lot.”

Australia beat India by nine wickets in the first round, dismissing it for its lowest World Cup score of 125. Ganguly said he might reshuffle his batting order today to give all his batsmen an opportunity before the semi-finals. “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. He said India were not too concerned about the prospect of facing Shane Bond, one of the fastest bowlers in the world, who took six for 23 against Australia. “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 (today).”

Ganguly added he was looking forward to meeting Kenya in the semi-finals. “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.”  New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said his side would feel no special pressure against India after spending almost the entire World Cup with their backs to the wall. “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.”