NAGPUR, India: Australia captain Ricky Ponting's players have put sporting rivalries aside following the Christchurch earthquake to commiserate with their New Zealand counterparts ahead of the teams' meeting at the World Cup. Ponting said Thursday that the famously competitive Australians have been speaking with the Black Caps at the hotel the teams are sharing in Nagpur ahead of Friday's Group A match. The sides will wear black armbands and observe a minute's silence before play begins at the VCA Ground, with Australia's players reminded that their attempt to win a fourth straight title is far less important than events elsewhere. “We need to show whatever respect we can and do whatever we can to help people who have been affected by it all,” Ponting said. “We will wear black armbands, I'll speak to (New Zealand captain) Dan Vettori at the toss, and we'll have a minute's silence. “A lot of that stuff is really small little areas where we can help out as two national cricket teams. As we know, we are neighbors and we treat each other as brothers.” New Zealand's players have spent the past three days checking on family and friends, while their physiotherapist and trainer have headed home. Even so, Ponting is still out to win and extend a World Cup-record 30-match unbeaten streak over the last three tournaments. Ponting lamented the lack of left-handers in his team but said his players are ready should New Zealand open its attack with spin. Nathan McCullum opened the bowling in New Zealand's opening 10-wicket win over Kenya and the Black Caps can also call upon Vettori, but Ponting says Australia's weakness against slow bowling on turning pitches is overstated even though Zimbabwe's three spinners managed to frustrate Australia somewhat. Shafiul doubtful Bangladesh is sweating over the fitness of pace bowler Shafiul Islam and has put its selection on hold until Friday morning for what it described as a must-win World Cup Group B game against Ireland. Shafiul, the leading Bangladesh fast bowler in 2010 with 32 wickets in 23 matches, hurt his right shoulder while attempting a catch in Wednesday's practice session. The injury did not initially look serious and the bowler was expecting to be fit before the Ireland game but Shakib, speaking at a news conference Thursday, cast doubt on his fitness. “Maybe we will need a change because Shafiul Islam is not 100 percent fit,” Shakib said. “We will check him Friday and then we will decide.” The game will give Bangladesh a chance to avenge its defeats to Ireland in two recent major tournaments — the World Cup of 2007 and the Twenty20 World Cup in 2009. “It is a very important match because we are expected to beat them and if we can it will give us a very good chance to qualify for the second round,” said the all-rounder. “It is a must-win game because if we don't win it will be very difficult for us to qualify,” he continued. Reports in Bangladesh have suggested if Shafiul fails to regain his fitness, the home side might not opt for another pace bowler and will pick a spinner instead. Shakib was also plotting to trap Ireland with spin. “Last time when they came here, yes, they didn't handle our spin well. So of course it will be a big challenge for them,” said Shakib. Bangladesh defeated Ireland 3-0 at home in 2008, which Shakib felt gave his team an edge too. Ireland captain William Porterfield was well aware of the challenge and said his team was fully prepared for it. “No matter what team we play against in this World Cup, spin will be a key part,” he said in the news conference. “Bangladesh have a good spin attack, especially at home, that we know about, and we have to come up against it,” he said.
