Revengeful Australia hopes to send England home early

Still reeling under the shock defeats suffered at home early this year, Australia, is planning take revenge by sending their arch rival England packing out of the Cricket World Cup.

But Australians despite having displayed awesome form in the World Cup so far are not talking England lightly whom they take on here on April 8.

The Aussies have chalked out their strategy and will unfold it only during the match but their coach John Buchanan gave a hint after practice at the Antigua Recreation Ground (ARG) today that his side was keen to see England out of the race for a semi-final berth and send them back home early.

''It's a very important game for us. Finishing on top in this one will enable us to knock one team out of the tournament,'' Buchanan said.

With just two points in the kitty from the Super 8 win over Ireland in the bag, England have no other option but to beat Australia to keep their semi-final hopes alive.

And it looks a tough job.

For Australia, it is the chance to avenge the three successive defeats, including the two in the tri-series finals.

''We're obviously trying to make amends for those defeats,'' said Buchanan, whose team are one of only two sides to have kept a clean slate so far in this tournament, the other being New Zealand.

Buchanan was at pains to point out that Australia had learnt from the defeats at home and said he has healthy respect for Michael Vaughan's men.

''It is going to be e an exceptional contest. We all know where we stand at the end of the game on Sunday,'' he said, and added that the Aussies were keen to complete a hat-trick of World Cup wins after clinching the title in 1999 and 2003.

For Buchanan this is going to be his last assignment with Australia as he retires from his post after the World Cup.

''England are going to be playing a knockout series now. For them, every outing is a knockout game and that places them on a razor's edge,'' said Buchanan.

''That is what set them going against us over the summer, so we are not going to underestimate them one bit,'' he added.

Australia have six points from their two outings alongside New Zealand, inclusive of the two points carried over from the qualifying group league.

Meanwhile, the defending champions are weighing their options for replacing all-rounder Shane Watson, whose calf injury has ruled him out of action till the semi-finals.

''We're considering a few options, whether to bring in an all-rounder, or a specialist batsman,'' the coach said.

Andrew Symonds, whom the team management holds in high regard is probably the first choice as he bowls both medium pace and off-spin. But the burly all-rounder too is just coming off injury.

''It's probably a bit early for him at this stage, but Andrew is Andrew when he takes the field and his progress has been very good,'' the coach said.

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