Aussies eye quarters as Kenya fight for respect

by Julian Guyer

WORLD CUP CRICKET: BANGALORE, India, March 12, AFP - Defending champions Australia can reach the World Cup quarter-finals with a victory over hapless Kenya on Sunday in what threatens to be one of the most lopsided matches of the tournament. Australia, unbeaten at the World Cup since 1999, have recorded dominant wins over Zimbabwe and New Zealand before rain washed out what promised to be their first major test of this competition, against Sri Lanka, last weekend.

One of the few things that appears to be standing in the way of another crushing display will be if they decide to alter the batting line-up so as to give their under-exposed middle order much needed match practice. There is set to be at least one change with Michael Hussey, a late replacement for injured fast bowler Doug Bollinger, having himself recovered from a hamstring problem, in line to play his first match of the tournament.