World champions Australia will today take on minnows Scotland here in
the second match of the ICC World Cup 2007.
The Aussies, who have seen a series of defeats in the past,
are also plagued by injuries to key players. The two-time defending champions
lost five matches in a row last month. They were removed from their World No.1
position by South Africa for the first time since rankings were introduced
five years ago.
But the Australians bounced back impressively last week by winning both of
their warm-up matches, including a clinical five-wicket win over arch-foes England.
Confident to clinch the World Cup trophy, Australian Captain
Ricky Ponting stressed his team is in the Caribbean to win.
"We are here to win whoever we play. We want to win every game that we
play, and that's the way we train, and we prepare," said Ponting.
Opener Matthew Hayden and middle-order batsman Michael
Clarke appear to have fully recovered from injuries.
Explosive all-rounder Andrew Symonds is facing a race
against time to recover from arm surgery for the crucial Group A match against
South Africa on March 24.
Scotland have plenty of experience in their side, with 37-year-old
all-rounder Dougie Brown. Brown has played nine one-day internationals
for England. Pace bowler John Blain and all-rounder Gavin Hamilton,
another former England player, are others who can be banked upon.
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