West Indies have been a strong one-day side in recent times – the last two Champions Trophies being potent reminders of what they can do. At home, they will be a force to reckon with. It’s good for them that they’ve got their horror match over in the practice game itself. They will come back and be a handful, as they have the batsmen, bowlers and the crowd support…and the world’s greatest batsman leading from the front. Likely semi-finalist.

Australia have finally looked mortal, and this time they will have a more difficult time than the last two World Cups. Their bowling is not quite for these conditions, and the age of their side does not look good on paper. It will not be surprising to see them fall the 1992 way.

New Zealand are a good balanced side, with typical bits and pieces contributors. They have the team to take them a fair distance, but if they couldn’t do it in 1999 (when everything, including the conditions, favoured their side), it does make you wonder if they have it in them to do it now. They did it in 2000, in the Champions Trophy, but that was just a two week tournament. The 6 weeks of World Cup tests the drives of teams like no other cricketing event, and somehow there is just the feeling that the Kiwis may not have it in them to go the whole hog. But then again, they probably are led by the best captain in world cricket today, so that could play a (positive) part.

South Africa, on the other hand, have the drive, and perhaps even the team. Whether the conditions suit them or not will be interesting to see. If their batsmen can adjust to the pace of the pitches, and the bowlers reconcile themselves to the discipline of the Springbok teams of the 1990s, then a semi-final place seems likely.

Sri Lanka will enjoy the conditions and probably have it in them to cause some major dents. In recent times, they have not shown the consistency though, so that in the final analysis will determine their progress. Still, a semi final place does seem very possible.

England under Vaughan looks more likely to stretch themselves than under Flintoff. So, they should be interesting to watch. A couple of early successes in the Super 8 could make them a force to reckon with. However, conditions in the West Indies probably do not suit the strengths of the team, and it would take some consistent remarkable performances for them to reach the semis, and they haven’t shown that for a long time. For that reason, unlikely to reach the semis. 

Pakistan will probably be a handful on some days and putty on others. Without Asif and Akhtar, their bowling is not likely to cause any shivers. The conditions are suitable for their kind of play and the kind of line-up they have, but somehow their lack of consistency (Mohammed Yousuf notwithstanding) does not inspire confidence. Neither does Inzamam’s captaincy, whose last world cup it certainly will be. Who knows, if he chooses to bow out the way he started out, anything could happen. But they’re a long shot really.

Bangladesh could have an interesting world cup. Their victory over New Zealand in the warm-ups was not a fluke. The conditions will suit their kind of game. To their extreme bad luck, they have been grouped with two other subcontinental teams – Sri LankaIndia – really a pity. and

These are my two-bit predictions, and here is the biggest one.

At the risk of being classified as a patriotic nut, it is difficult for me to pick a stronger favourite to win this world cup, over India.

Simply put, here are the reasons.

1) Variety - Never before in history, has any Indian team had such bench strength. Even if 2-3 key players were to get injured or if Sehwag and Pathan continue their slump, there are options to still put up a strong eleven on any given match day. The seniors are in good form (except Sehwag, which hopefully should change), as are the juniors, and the bowlers are all looking potent. 

2) Suitable conditions – All teams from the subcontinent will like the slow conditions, but none more than India (and probably Sri Lanka). The balance of spinners and medium pacers, and most importantly batsmen who can bowl (Sehwag, Yuvraj, Sachin, maybe even Pathan), gives this team more options than perhaps any touring Indian team of the past.

3) Age balance: The Big Four in the team – Dravid, Tendulkar, Ganguly and Kumble are almost certainly playing their last World Cup and this time perhaps, their searing hunger (which they’ve all demonstrated lately, none more than Ganguly) will be complemented by the energy around them. There’s an assuredness to this team that could only be compared by the 1985 World Championship of Cricket winning team.

4) Captain: Rahul Dravid is India’s greatest cricketer ever (even Kapil Dev has apparently caught on) and despite a less-than-inspiring performance in South Africa, this just feels like Dravid’s moment. Everything seems to be coming together – the seniors rallying around him, the juniors secure in the expectations from them, good form from everyone, and a general feel-good confident vibe from the team that is not a common sight in touring Indian teams. Dravid’s very public support of Sehwag, as the latter goes through his worst slump of form, also suggests a very healthy team environment. Greg Chappell is just the right kind of support for him, and it just feels like their time has come.

The good time they’ve had in warm –up games is one sign of the conviction in the side, but warm-up games have always been very deceptive (India lost to Minor Counties during the 1983 warm-ups). Hopefully, the team has not peaked already, as there is a long-long way to go yet. Especially in this World Cup, where quite literally, any of the Super 8 teams can nose ahead.

All things considered, my semi-finalists are India, West Indies, Sri Lanka and South Africa/ New Zealand. Given Australia’s impending fall from grace, it should be the most exciting world cup ever.

Comments

Add New Search RSS

Write comment
Name:
Title:
UBBCode:	-color-aquablackbluefuchsiagraygreenlimemaroonnavyolivepurpleredsilvertealwhiteyellow -size-tinysmallmediumlargehuge

Powered by JoomlaCommentCopyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved.Homepage: http://cavo.co.nr/