WHAT THEY SAID...

WHO THEY SUPPORTED...:

Anyone but Australia:

As excitement builds ahead of the cricket World Cup final on Saturday, the key question in the Caribbean is whether Sri Lanka have the wherewithal to overcome the Australian juggernaut.

This poster seems to echo the sentiments of many fans following the demolition by the Aussies of South Africa.

[Words and pictures by Soutik Biswas]

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Harold Ivey - Taxi Driver :

"I want Sri Lanka to win. They have played very well in the tournament. And it is time someone beats the Australians," said Mr Ivey, who works in the West Indies. "After West Indies was knocked out I started supporting Sri Lanka, who have some exciting players. My favourite player is Muralitharan. He is the player of the tournament for me."

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Syreta Simpson - Salesperson:

"It's going to be tricky to predict who will win," says salesperson Syreta in the West Indies.

"Sri Lanka is doing well, but Australia have a better chance of winning. I will support Sri Lanka, but I think Australia will win. I love Australia's Nathan Bracken. My heart will root for Sri Lanka, but my mind says it's going to be Australia."

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Manish Vaid - Businessman:

"I am putting my money on Sri Lanka winning the finals. I want them to win badly. Australia is a good team, but somebody has to stop them," says Mr Vaid. "But success has gone to their heads - they have no respect for opponents any longer. Mathew Hayden is an amazing batsman, but Muralitharan is the best spinner in the game."

Courtesy: BBC