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Lanka banks on pitch

AFP/REUTERS, East London
Sri Lanka have confidently predicted they will dethrone mighty Australia when they face the defending champions in the semifinals of the World Cup at Port Elizabeth on Tuesday.
Sanath Jayasuriya's team clinched the last remaining semifinal place when they defeated Zimbabwe by 74 runs at East London on Saturday, thereby ending New Zealand's lingering hopes of squeezing into the last four.
"I think on that pitch we can win it," said Jayasuriya.
The St George's Park wicket at Port Elizabeth is the slowest in the tournament and is expected to be a playground for Sri Lanka's spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan.
"It's a pitch which will suit us and we will be playing hard cricket just like we did today," added Jayasuriya, who does at least have a little more cricket to look forward to unlike Shaun Pollock, who was sacked as skipper of South Africa on Saturday following his team's dismal cup campaign. Although the pitch was clearly difficult for batting during the Sri Lanka innings, Jayasuriya said he felt it had improved once the Zimbabweans started their run chase.
"The pitch was very slow in the morning but when we were bowling it was a good wicket," he said.
"They started really well against our fast bowlers.
"Our spinners found it a little difficult to turn the ball but later on Murali (Muttiah Muralitharan) came on and bowled a good line and Chaminda Vaas bowled some good reverse swing. That is where we changed the match.
"Earlier on Marvan (Atapattu) batted well because the wicket was not easy at all."
However, Jayasuriya praised his team's performance in reaching the semifinals after their heavy defeat by India in the previous match.
"India was a disappointment but the guys knew this was an important game," Jayasuriya said.
"What happened in Johannesburg was a disappointing all-round performance altogether. But we have played enough cricket to come back and play well."
Looking forward to Tuesday's match, Jayasuriya said although his side were heavily beaten by Australia in the Super Sixes, conditions at St George's Park could favour his side.
"The first match is over now and history. The semifinal will be a different game altogether," he said.
"History says that Port Elizabeth has been a turning track.
"We have to go there and see but it usually turns and that would suit our bowlers."