Pata
03-14-2007, 06:50 AM
Time to lay it on the line, then.
The teams have assembled; the finishing touches have been applied. The talk stops, and the action begins.
So how’s it all going to pan out?
It’s certainly the most open World Cup since the trophy’s inception back in 1975.
The heavy and expected favouritism of Australia has dampened somewhat thanks to the Chappell-Hadlee 3-0 whitewash by the BLACKCAPS.
As for the other combatants, you can throw a blanket over Sri Lanka, South Africa, the BLACKCAPS and, in the home conditions, the West Indies.
Then slightly behind those - and I stress slightly - follow India, Pakistan and England.
The scenario is straightforward to me – results will be topsy-turvy and early momentum and early points will be crucial.
So, to the major teams then:
Australia
Ignore them at your peril. Major hiccups, with their Tri-series defeat to England followed by the 3-0 drubbing to the BLACKCAPS. Serious injuries are a concern, with strike bowler Brett Lee missing and doubts around Hayden and Symonds – the latter, in particular, will be an enormous blow if he misses out. They’ll score plenty of runs, but their bowling has been seriously exposed. Their will to win will be truly tested.
Player to watch: Adam Gilchrist, in probably his last World Cup, will have plenty to prove and small boundaries will suit.
South Africa
The Proteas are an excellent all-round unit, as their number one world ranking bears testament. They have no major weaknesses, and have a good balance in their unit. They have an excellent cutting edge with Makhaya Ntini, and always display huge self-belief. However – do they know how to win a World Cup? They have a reputation for choking in the final stages.
Player to watch: Plenty of talent, but this World Cup comes at the right time for Ashwell Prince. A man in form, and improving.
England
I still can’t believe they won the Australian Tri-Series! Dangerous players in Flintoff and Pietersen, the remainder fall into the journeyman ODI category. The English know the One-Day game inside out though, and will be buoyed by recent results and will carry momentum into tournament.
Player to watch: Andrew Flintoff is a dynamic player with bat and ball – and again, the compact grounds will suit his big-hitting style.
India
A dangerous and experience core including Tendulkar, Ganguly, Sehwag, Kumble and Singh. These players must front for India to have any chance. However, they are an erratic team, and games against them will be counted as ‘must-wins’ by other countries. Rarely fire in World Cup tournament and predict the same.
Player to Watch: Pitch conditions are tailor-made for Harbhajan Singh, one of world cricket’s leading spinners.
Pakistan
Who knows what we will see here? On their day, virtually unstoppable, but simply too many bad days at the office. Wracked by scandal and late losses, and the absence of Akhtar will hurt. Will score runs via Younis Khan, Inzamam and Mohammad Yousuf, but the bowling could let them down and they will seriously miss Abdur Razzaq’s all-round skills.
Player to watch: Mohammad Yousuf continues to be one of world cricket’s top batsmen.
West Indies
The hosts will be carried along by expectation and emotion. Their recent record is good so self-belief will be there. A good start to the tournament and early points will be a key factor – early losses, and the wheels could fall off. But this is Brian Lara’s swansong and the little maestro will be pumped up.
Player to watch: The talented Chris Gayle’s progress into a match-winning batsman and a useful slow-bowler is most welcome, and he has been vital to the Caribbean cause - as displayed in the recent Champions Trophy.
Sri Lanka
Peaking brilliantly – well coached by Tom Moody and their planning has been thorough. A dynamic batting line up, led by Sanath Jayasuriya who will want to mark what will be his final World Cup. But they do miss a world-class all-rounder and their lower order batting may not stand up to the rigours of tournament cricket.
Player to watch: Kumar Sangakkara’s brilliant batting was one of the highlights of this summer’s National Bank International Series and he will confirm his talents on the world stage this month.
BLACKCAPS
How do you summarise things succinctly? One thing’s for sure – the Kiwis have never had a better chance. A top leader in Fleming, strong batting line-up that complements the experience of players such as the skipper and the youthful exuberance of the tyro Ross Taylor. Superb depth in the batting, with Oram, McCullum and Vettori. The BLACKCAPS also boast a reliable bowling engine room, and they key will be the support they receive from Gillespie, Franklin and co.
Player to watch: The time has come for Jacob Oram. He is close to becoming the complete cricketer – this is his stage.
The best of the rest
Kenya to beat England in group play and provide another upset in the Super 8s. And as we’ve already seen, Bangladesh could be good for an upset or two.
The last four?
For me, the BLACKCAPS will make the last semis. The world champions Australia will also be there at the death to avenge being swept in the Chappell-Hadlee Series. South Africa’s world-leading position is no accident, and the Sri Lankans have the talent to join them.
The winner?
Its heart v head. My heart says the BLACKCAPS will beat Australia in the final. My head is telling me that Sri Lanka will take on Australia in the Final, with the Sri Lankans lifting the cup after one of the great finals
The teams have assembled; the finishing touches have been applied. The talk stops, and the action begins.
So how’s it all going to pan out?
It’s certainly the most open World Cup since the trophy’s inception back in 1975.
The heavy and expected favouritism of Australia has dampened somewhat thanks to the Chappell-Hadlee 3-0 whitewash by the BLACKCAPS.
As for the other combatants, you can throw a blanket over Sri Lanka, South Africa, the BLACKCAPS and, in the home conditions, the West Indies.
Then slightly behind those - and I stress slightly - follow India, Pakistan and England.
The scenario is straightforward to me – results will be topsy-turvy and early momentum and early points will be crucial.
So, to the major teams then:
Australia
Ignore them at your peril. Major hiccups, with their Tri-series defeat to England followed by the 3-0 drubbing to the BLACKCAPS. Serious injuries are a concern, with strike bowler Brett Lee missing and doubts around Hayden and Symonds – the latter, in particular, will be an enormous blow if he misses out. They’ll score plenty of runs, but their bowling has been seriously exposed. Their will to win will be truly tested.
Player to watch: Adam Gilchrist, in probably his last World Cup, will have plenty to prove and small boundaries will suit.
South Africa
The Proteas are an excellent all-round unit, as their number one world ranking bears testament. They have no major weaknesses, and have a good balance in their unit. They have an excellent cutting edge with Makhaya Ntini, and always display huge self-belief. However – do they know how to win a World Cup? They have a reputation for choking in the final stages.
Player to watch: Plenty of talent, but this World Cup comes at the right time for Ashwell Prince. A man in form, and improving.
England
I still can’t believe they won the Australian Tri-Series! Dangerous players in Flintoff and Pietersen, the remainder fall into the journeyman ODI category. The English know the One-Day game inside out though, and will be buoyed by recent results and will carry momentum into tournament.
Player to watch: Andrew Flintoff is a dynamic player with bat and ball – and again, the compact grounds will suit his big-hitting style.
India
A dangerous and experience core including Tendulkar, Ganguly, Sehwag, Kumble and Singh. These players must front for India to have any chance. However, they are an erratic team, and games against them will be counted as ‘must-wins’ by other countries. Rarely fire in World Cup tournament and predict the same.
Player to Watch: Pitch conditions are tailor-made for Harbhajan Singh, one of world cricket’s leading spinners.
Pakistan
Who knows what we will see here? On their day, virtually unstoppable, but simply too many bad days at the office. Wracked by scandal and late losses, and the absence of Akhtar will hurt. Will score runs via Younis Khan, Inzamam and Mohammad Yousuf, but the bowling could let them down and they will seriously miss Abdur Razzaq’s all-round skills.
Player to watch: Mohammad Yousuf continues to be one of world cricket’s top batsmen.
West Indies
The hosts will be carried along by expectation and emotion. Their recent record is good so self-belief will be there. A good start to the tournament and early points will be a key factor – early losses, and the wheels could fall off. But this is Brian Lara’s swansong and the little maestro will be pumped up.
Player to watch: The talented Chris Gayle’s progress into a match-winning batsman and a useful slow-bowler is most welcome, and he has been vital to the Caribbean cause - as displayed in the recent Champions Trophy.
Sri Lanka
Peaking brilliantly – well coached by Tom Moody and their planning has been thorough. A dynamic batting line up, led by Sanath Jayasuriya who will want to mark what will be his final World Cup. But they do miss a world-class all-rounder and their lower order batting may not stand up to the rigours of tournament cricket.
Player to watch: Kumar Sangakkara’s brilliant batting was one of the highlights of this summer’s National Bank International Series and he will confirm his talents on the world stage this month.
BLACKCAPS
How do you summarise things succinctly? One thing’s for sure – the Kiwis have never had a better chance. A top leader in Fleming, strong batting line-up that complements the experience of players such as the skipper and the youthful exuberance of the tyro Ross Taylor. Superb depth in the batting, with Oram, McCullum and Vettori. The BLACKCAPS also boast a reliable bowling engine room, and they key will be the support they receive from Gillespie, Franklin and co.
Player to watch: The time has come for Jacob Oram. He is close to becoming the complete cricketer – this is his stage.
The best of the rest
Kenya to beat England in group play and provide another upset in the Super 8s. And as we’ve already seen, Bangladesh could be good for an upset or two.
The last four?
For me, the BLACKCAPS will make the last semis. The world champions Australia will also be there at the death to avenge being swept in the Chappell-Hadlee Series. South Africa’s world-leading position is no accident, and the Sri Lankans have the talent to join them.
The winner?
Its heart v head. My heart says the BLACKCAPS will beat Australia in the final. My head is telling me that Sri Lanka will take on Australia in the Final, with the Sri Lankans lifting the cup after one of the great finals