Player-by-player guide to the 1999 World Cup final (19 June 1999)

19 June 1999

Player-by-player guide to the 1999 World Cup final

Mark Nicholas

Mark Waugh: Erratic tournament by his own high standards, but made 100 at Lord's against Zimbabwe so will be pleased to be back. LBW candidate against Akram's left-arm in-swing, but if he survives the new ball is the man most likely to dominate spin and medium pace.

Adam Gilchrist: Exposed by seam movement on English pitches, so not the confident player we saw in the one-dayers last winter. He must focus on playing very straight and be patient. Dangerous if he gets in, and to do so he too will have to survive Akram's line of attack which troubles him.

Ricky Ponting: Too often a victim of his own determination to dominate, but oozes so much natural talent that he has it in him to cope with all the Pakistan bowlers. Played his finest one-day innings in Pakistan last October so they respect him.

Darren Lehman: Yet to completely convince at international level but forthright, combative style tends to come off when least expected. Immensely strong hitter of the ball square of the wicket. Another who did well in Pakistan last October.

Steve Waugh: There's little left to say. The ultimate bat-for-your-life merchant with no idea when he's beaten - him or his team. Captaincy is a bit mixed and Australia nearly blew it on Thursday because the make-up bowlers, Moody and Mark Waugh, bowled in harness for too long.

Michael Bevan: His semi-final innings showed why he's such a fabulous one-day player. Understands the nuances of the shorter game and has the patience and self-belief to carry his principles through. Is on a roll in the field too.

Shane Warne: Still the maestro against nervous opponents - South Africa, for example, and England! Had the confidence to really spin the ball at Edgbaston and must aim to do the same tomorrow. He is the catalyst of the team, a master motivator by word, commitment and deed.

Tom Moody: Under-rated cricketer, and in form. Australia should bowl him earlier when the ball is hard so he can use his height to maximum effect. Strong driver of the ball and a shrewd tactician both of which make him effective at No 7.

Paul Reiffel: Astonishing highs and lows in the semi-final, but on balance probably came out of the game exonerated. Has cut his pace a touch to concentrate on control - Pakistan may target him if the pitch is good.

Damian Fleming: Huge heart allows his captain to use him in the most difficult situations. Swung the ball miles at the start of the tournament, not so much now after the change in weather. Looks medium pace from afar but gets deceptive nip off the pitch.

Glenn McGrath: Definitely Australia's most likely matchwinner. Loves Lord's, tends to ball well at teams from the sub-continent who are not used to the extra bounce. Didn't start well with the new ball at Edgbaston but certain to put that right tomorrow.

Saeed Anwar: Talk about running into nick at the right time. Only Tendulkar now has more one-day hundreds. Phenomenally strong wrists set up his thrilling ability to play strokes anywhere off any bowling. Back him for a big score.

Wajahatullah Wasti: Orthodox and well-organised batsman but not used to the extra bounce that McGrath may get on a modern Lord's pitch. Like so many Pakistanis he learns quickly, however, and has looked more confident by the game. Has plenty of strokes in his armoury if he is set.

Ijaz Ahmed: Opponents are wary of his ability to score quickly as soon as he arrives at the wicket. Has wonderful control of the blade so is able to find gaps others dream of. Expect Australia to try and close him down straight away.

Inzamam-ul-Haq: Where to start? Fantastic natural ability but an inconsistent cricket brain to go with it. Has previously responded well to the big occasion and enjoys playing at Lord's, so watch out for awesome strength mixed into his casual style. Watch out for his fielding and running between the wickets too!

Shahid Afridi: One of Pakistan's typical mercurial cricketers. Some days the leg breaks pitch perfectly, ground fielding is electric and his batting looks unbowlable to. Other days....

Abdul Razzaq: The find of the tournament. Only 19 but already an intelligent bowler of lively pace and a batsman who is comfortable to be the pawn in a flexible order - could go in anywhere from three to nine.

Moin Khan: Only the occasional lapse in his wicketkeeping which is a tremendous effort because he's playing with a broken finger. Has batted out of his skin so far and is very able to turn an unpromising score into a meaningful total.

Azhar Mahmood: Quick arm and strong body action means that he is much quicker than he appears on TV. Hits the pitch hard which is why his seam bowling is hard to force. Dangerous batsman with a couple hundreds to his name waiting to explode.

Wasim Akram: In many ways the ultimate cricketer and still unpredictable as well which adds to his allure. Not quite so quick as he was but still swinging the ball from both over and around the wicket and capable as ever of a crucial clatter over midwicket for six.

Shoaib Akhtar: That glorious yorker to Stephen Fleming in the semi-final crystallised, for a split second, Shoaib's whole cricketing ethic. Attack and be damned. The most exciting cricketer in the tournament and a very serious threat even to the highest class of batsman on the deadest pitch.

Saqlain Mushtaq: Lost a touch of confidence since the South African's played him well at Trent Bridge. Even so his ability to move the ball both ways still confuses opponents, and he has a big enough heart to bowl coolly and intelligently however tough the situation.

Source :: The Electronic Telegraph