Shut up and mind your business, Moody tells Aussies

Fed up with Australia harping on Sri Lanka's ''tactical rest'' of key bowlers against them in the Super Eights match, coach Tom Moody has asked the Aussies to shut up and mind their business.'' ''Don't bother what we (Sri Lanka) did or what we are going to do, you (Australia) mind your own business,'' a furious Moody said.

''It is the time this debate is closed. The return shot is why does Sri Lanka have to be told who to play against Australia?'' Moody, was quoted as having said in an Australian paper.

''What Australia has to do with about who we play in a game, which was essentially a dead rubber?'' the Lankan coach questioned.

The Aussies have repeatedly been saying that the decision to rest Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas and Lasith Malinga in the Super Eight encounter against Australia had caused them to lose momentum and also that Ponting's men have ended up holding the mental advantage, but Moody insisted that decision had nothing to do with Australians.

''The cricket world did not stick their nose into the fact that half the Australian team didn't tour New Zealand for the Chappell-Hadlee Series. That was Australia's choice. It is the way you prepare your players for a long World Cup,'' the two-time World Cup winning member of Australia pointed out.

Moody was also confident about Lankan Lions springing up an upset in the final, despite predictions that the pacy and bouncy Kensington Oval pitch would suit the fearsome Aussie bowling attack.

''I think we can win,'' he said, adding, ''what Australia have done has no relevance to Saturday. If our boys can bring their A game it would be good enough to beat Australia.'' The 41-year-old former Aussie all-rounder, who is in-charge of the Sri Lankan national cricket team for the last two year, however, admitted that his side has a huge amount of respect for the Australian team but are not in awe of the contest.

UNI HSB SSC PM2030

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