ANTIGUA: CRICKET - Press conferences by England and Sri Lanka as they prepare for their World Cup match

Malinga, who became the first international cricketer to take four wickets in four balls in the defeat by South Africa, has an unusually low, slingy action that generates prodigious swing. "We've tried our best to emulate the trajectory of Malinga and the angle that he comes and the height but it is quite difficult to get the pace," England captain Michael Vaughan told reporters on Tuesday. "So it is a bit of the unknown tomorrow. The guys playing against him in the test series last year did okay. He has had one decent game in the tournament when he got four in four balls but he is also going for runs as well." However, he was less sure that a batsman could ever properly prepare for facing mercurial Sri Lanka off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan. "It's very hard to emulate Muralitharan in the nets." Sri Lanka humiliated England 5-0 in a one-day series last year. Another defeat for England on Wednesday would greatly cut their chances of qualifying for the semi-final. The seven-week tournament, the first time the event has been held in the Caribbean, culminates in the final on April 28 in Bridgetown, Barbados. Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene said on Tuesday he hoped their "brilliant" coach Tom Moody would continue with the team beyond the World Cup. Moody, 41, has revived Sri Lanka since he was appointed in May 2005 and the 1996 champions are among the leading title contenders in the Caribbean. However, the former Australian all-rounder is seen as a possible successor to England coach Duncan Fletcher, who has been heavily criticised after last year's 5-0 Ashes series rout in Australia. Fletcher has a rolling contract with the England Cricket Board (ECB). Jayawardene said Moody had brought a freshness to the team and pushed seniors such as himself, Sanath Jayasuriya and Muttiah Muralitharan. "That is the decision he has to make," he told reporters when asked about Moody's possible exit. "We've enjoyed playing under him. The things that he has done is push everyone in the team, from Murali to Sanath to myself to the youngest player in the camp. "Everyday you try and learn something," he said. "That is something special Tom has brought to this team. Obviously a lot of the guys like the way he handles players as well. "He wanted to take us to the World Cup and then see where he wants to be," he said. "But it is his decision and we will have to acknowledge that. "Sri Lanka cricket, whether he stays or not, will not divert from where we are going. If Tom stays back it will be brilliant." The seven-week World Cup culminates in the Bridgetown, Barbados final on April 28. It is the first to be held in the Caribbean.

ITN Source | April 4, 2007

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