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Mumbai, Oct 17: West Indies captain Brian Lara today said a good performance in the first half of the day was the key to success in the ICC Champions Trophy tie against Australia tomorrow as the pitch could play truant under lights.
"I think it depends on who plays the better half of the game... The pitch is going to play its part and we are looking to get the better part. The best team may not necessarily win because of the pitch factor, but the one that plays better on the day.
"I think the team that plays better in the first half of the game, between 2-30 pm and 6 pm, puts itself in a better position to win", the West Indies captain said on the eve of the match against the reigning World Cup champions.
In the two matches held at the Brabourne stadium here on October 14 and 16, West Indies were bowled out for 80 and lost easily to Sri Lanka in a qualifying round tie, while New Zealand made 195 and then shot out their rivals South Africa for 108 in the Group B opener to win by a whopping 87 runs.
"The CCI (Cricket Club of India) have done their best to improve the pitches, the final (no November 5) is here as well, and we hope the pitches do improve. But it's not that sort of pitch where you think (a total of) 275 or 300 are on the cards so far.
"We will be looking to analyse the situation as early as possible. (We will find out) batting first what sort of total we think is possible or bowling first how well can we get into the opposition," Lara said ahead of their tough tie. (Agencies)
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