Mathews Vows Fight Against India

CARDIFF: Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews on Wednesday vowed that his "fighting team" were prepared to put recent history behind them when they face India in the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy.

Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews on Wednesday vowed his "fighting team" were prepared to put recent history behind them when they face India in the semifinals of the Champions Trophy.

Thursday's match in Cardiff is a repeat of the 2011 World Cup final, which India won by six wickets in Mumbai despite a superb century from Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene.

Since then the Asian rivals have met in 10 one-day internationals with India winning seven, Sri Lanka two and one tie.

Since then the Asian rivals have met in 10 one-day internationals with India winning seven, Sri Lanka two and one tie.

At the Champions Trophy, India were the only side who reached the semi-finals on the back of a perfect group record of three wins.

By contrast, Sri Lanka have had to battle their way through following a loss to New Zealand in a low-scoring opener in Cardiff.

But they recovered to beat hosts England and then defeated title-holders Australia at The Oval on Monday to seal their last four place.

Asked if Thursday's match represented "payback time" for Sri Lanka after their World Cup final heartbreak, Mathews replied: "There's no room for revenge in sport.

"But yes, if we can beat the Indians, I think it'll be a great achievement. On our day we can beat any team. I'm sure the boys are up for it."

Sri Lanka will be looking to bowling spearhead Lasith Malinga to disrupt a powerful India top order that includes in-form opener Shikhar Dhawan, the tournament's leading scorer so far with 264 runs, including two hundreds.

Slingshot seamer Malinga, renowned for his yorkers, is regarded as one of the world's most awkward bowlers to face, yet the paceman's average against India (40.88) is his worst against that of any opposing country.

Rain saw hosts Sri Lanka and India share the 2002 Champions Trophy title but there will be no division of the spoils if Thursday's match is a wash-out.

In that case, India will go through to Sunday's final at Edgbaston on account of having won Group B, with Sri Lanka runners-up in Group A, and will meet the winners of Wednesday's semi-final between England and South Africa.