So far, so good

Written by Ravi Singh

Monday, 26 March 2007

Well, it has been interesting so far to say the least. We have someone finally hitting six sixes in an international over, the fastest century and half-century in a World Cup tournament, teams consistently scoring over 300 runs and minnows knocking out the big boys. Plus we have a murder thrown in. Could Christopher Columbus have possibly foreseen the mayhem he would create when he re-discovered the West Indies?

How many commentators are now eating their words concerning the minnows? Ireland has shown great fighting spirit and some talent. Bangladesh, while not exactly a minnow, but not really considered a contender, have come of age and I don’t doubt will continue to impress. It is such a pity that Zimbabwe is in freefall to hell. Their young and inexperienced cricketers have shown that there is talent and what could have been if they were able to better prepare.

When Matthew Hayden made his 380 against Zimbabwe and broke Brian Lara’s record for the highest individual test score, it was said that he made it against a weak Zimbabwe bowling attack. That was true, but Lara also made his record and regained it, on a totally flat and dead pitch on a small ground. Still, they made it and it took skill and vast concentration. Saturday, Hayden made the fastest one day century in a World Cup and also the fastest one day century by an Aussie, against the solid new ball opening pair of Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Nitini, two world class bowlers. Like Lara, there can be no doubt of Hayden’s skill.

Two of the tournament favorites are gone. India and Pakistan, these great rivals have shown the same lack of guts and fighting spirit. In all fairness, their bowlers have performed, but their batsmen have let them down badly. The repercussions are going to be felt by everyone associated with these teams, but I doubt if any changes for the better are going to be made.

We are now into the Final 8. I will now make my predictions and say that Australia, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and West Indies are going into the semis. I previously had South Africa as a contender, but Australia exposed a serious weak link in their armour, it being their inability to change. Pollock was kept on to long after the pasting Hayden was giving him and to keep to their lineup and send Kallis ahead of Gibbs or Boucher was a serious error with the run rate over 7 and with Kallis just unable to start quickly.

In all, it’s looking to be a real cracker for the next few weeks. During that, we can cherish the memory of a man who dedicated and eventually gave his life to cricket, Bob Woolmer.

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