Arjuna Ranatunga stresses on Aussies’s soft side

 Lankan legend Arjuna Ranatunga reckons Aussies can succumb when prick ed 

The Australians are masters when it comes to mind games. Not quite when they are up against sharp opponents like Arjuna Ranatunga.

Ranatunga, who led Sri Lanka to their one and only World Cup cricket triumph in 1996, revealed yesterday how he got under the skin of Mark Taylor’s men who were good enough to reach the final at Lahore, but not quite up to it to win it.

However, Australia won the next three World Cups (1999, 2003 and 2007) and although they find themselves in the red against England in the current Ashes series, the fact is that they will go into next year’s World Cup as defending champions.

“Before the start of the 1996 World Cup, I made a statement that the Waugh brothers and Shane Warne are over-rated cricketers. The ploy worked as it didn’t go down well with the Aussies and they were speaking a lot about it during the World Cup as we focussed on the game,” said Ranatunga at a World Cup promotional event.

Ian Chappell, in an 2003 interview to Wisden Asia Cricket narrated an incident which took place after the toss before the Lahore final.

“Before the match, Ravi (Shastri) had done an interview with Arjuna and I was to do one with (Shane) Warney.

The Australians were practising when Arjuna said that Warney was a media myth, and word got around. When Warney came running to me saying, ‘What’s that fat b**t**d said now?’ I thought to myself, ‘This is very smart’. Ranatunga has them worried about him rather than the other way around. ‘ “

Quite clearly, Ranatunga had managed to get under the Australians’ skin.

 “I thought Arjuna was a very smart captain,” continued Chappell.

  “Complaints from Australia about him used to make me chuckle ... if you hand it out, it’s going to come back. Arjuna quite liked it when guys had a go at him.”

Ranatunga backed Sri Lanka to win the 2011 World Cup although he admitted that the current batting line-up is not as good as his order in 1996 which comprised Aravinda de Silva, Asanka Gurusinha, Roshan Mahanama Hashan Tillakaratne and Ranatunga himself.

India’s ability notwithstanding, he said they have crumbled in the past due to intense pressure from home fans.

It can be recalled that India failed against his team in the semi-final of the 1996 World Cup at Kolkata. The game had to be abandoned due to crowd trouble. (Mid-Day, India)

Ashes: Beer the answer for Aussie!

• West Australian spinner Michael Beer’s shock selection as Aussies axe three

Michael Beer was the shock selection as Australian selectors axed Marcus North, Doug Bollinger and Xavier Doherty for the third Test against England.

West Australian spinner Beer, 26, NSW allrounder Steve Smith and NSW opener Phil Hughes have been named in a 12 man squad for the Perth Test starting next Thursday.

Pacemen Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus, who both missed selection in Australia’s XI for the second Test in Adelaide, have also been included.

Hughes has been summoned in place of opening batsman Simon Katich, who will miss the rest of the Ashes series with a torn achilles tendon.

Beer, who has taken just 16 first class wickets at an average of 39.93 since making his state debut two months ago, replaces fellow left-arm spinner Doherty, while Smith takes North’s spot.

“This is obviously disappointing for Marcus, who has played some outstanding Test innings for Australia,” national selection panel chairman Andrew Hilditch said in a statement.

“But it was felt to be the right time to bring the exciting prospect Steve Smith into the Test team.

“Steve has already had success at international level and will also add to the bowling depth with his leg spin bowling and dynamic fielding.”

Hilditch said Beer’s knowledge of the WACA Ground secured his inclusion.

“Michael is a left-arm orthodox spinner who has been very impressive at domestic level this year,” he said.

“He took wickets against England in the tour match earlier this summer and we expect he will bowl very well against the English on his home ground.”

Bollinger’s omission leaves Australia with a fast bowling quartet of Harris, Johnson, Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle to chose from.

“Both Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus did not play in Adelaide but will be strongly considered for selection in the Perth Test match where conditions will suit them,” Hilditch said.

Squad: Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke (vc), Shane Watson, Phil Hughes, Mike Hussey, Steve Smith, Brad Haddin, Michael Beer, Ryan Harris, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus.