Daggers drawn, Aussies prepare a ‘hit-list’

If Ricky Ponting’s views have been correctly recorded, he is planning another bodyline assault as a way of eliminating any further chal...

If Ricky Ponting’s views have been correctly recorded, he is planning another bodyline assault as a way of eliminating any further challenge to Australia in World Cup 2003. This time the strategy is to launch Brett Lee’s javelin throwing efforts at New Zealand’s captain Stephen Fleming in Tuesday’s Super Six encounter here at St George’s Park.

Ponting revealed the bodyline tactic when he said that Australia wanted to demonstrate their physical as well as mental superiority over their Kiwi cousins in a crunch match for the Black Caps. The one way to do this is to target any batsman who is a threat to the side.

In this case there was Fleming along with Chris Cairns and Nathan Astle who were seen as the main dangers and targets one, two and three. All great tactics if you have the weaponry, no matter how suspect it might be. The umpires have been gagged by a quaint International Cricket Council regulation which says they cannot ‘‘call’’ a bowler who infringes Law 24, Note 2.

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What is interesting is that Ponting all but admitted that Sachin Tendulkar would be on Lee’s ‘‘hit list’’ when the Australians next meet the Indians. It is all part of the Australian approach. Use the ammunition while you have it; in this case it is Lee, whose action fails to measure up to the requirements of Law 24, Note 2.

Whether Lee had a leather belt in which he cuts a notch every time he pings a batsman has yet to be answered, but he certainly enjoyed the way Sanath Jayasuriya was aided off the field at SuperSport Park, Centurion. Could not get off the field quick enough to borrow a penknife and cut the notch. Jayasuriya was unable to bat again although he has passed himself fit to play India at the Wanderers.

Australia’s approach is all so brave and chauvinistic and brings back memories of the Dennis Lillee-Jeff Thomson fast bowling barrage in the mid-1970s when England batsman Dennis Amiss was deliberately targeted. Okay, so it is not a game for sissies — it never has been. But to deliberately aim a ball at about 155 kmph at a batsman with the idea to do some serious mischief is perhaps transgressing parts of Law 42 as well.

‘‘What we are really trying to do is bowl where we know their batsmen won’t score big runs,’’ he said by way of explanation. ‘‘The idea is to eliminate those strokes which bring them those runs. Bowling wide to Jayasuriya’s not helping us as he is going to drive the ball or cut it.

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‘‘It is a matter of eliminating their scoring options. It is then up to them to counter this, if they can. We need to place him (Fleming), under pressure and reducing his scoring options. He scored a sensational century against South Africa and is on top of his game.

‘‘Look, they (New Zealand) have played well and we need to get on top of that ourselves. We have a great rivalry and you are going to see that in this game. They are pretty confident right now and our aim is to knock them back and the best way is to target their top men with pace.’’

Ponting scoffed at suggestions that as they have qualified for a semi-final place it would be an idea to rotate the bowlers. It was typical Aussie bravado: crush them with power play, whether it is through batting or bowling gameplans. If the other teams cannot take the heat, get out of the kitchen; only the brave will survive.

Were Ponting’s comments merely a rhetorical mailed glove thrown down for the Kiwis to take up the challenge? It is a matter of wait and see. Knowing the Kiwis though, they are likely to take up the challenge.