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World Cup 2011 -
World Cup 2011
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Saturday, 12 March 2011 15:05 |
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Contributed by Yogesh Gandhi
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(3416 views) |
That old adage that Cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties has become such a cliché that I can’t even impress my dhobi if I tell him! Almost every evening before I leave from work, when an entire an innings is over, I hazard a guess and take a wild guess as to who looks likely to win. In about 45 mins time when I reach home and sit down in front of the TV for the Live game, I find that my guess has cut a sorry figure. Much like the way I do, when I try to make way through maddening Pune traffic just to make sure that I catch up whatever little remains of the match. Life and Cricket certainly haves a common Mistress. Her name is uncertainty.
Pakistani team was the rightful owner of the unpredictable crown till date. However, English are fast emerging as the heir apparent to that crown. The way English have played in this World Cup, they surely would have increased the number of heart patients in the land of ole’ blighty. If I had a smirk when lowly Ireland sprung a surprise on the poms, I could not resist but to applaud the English pluck when they ‘choked’ the Proteas in what was a match that even English would have believed to be lost when SA were comfortably placed at 120 for 3. In what was a sensational display of reverse swing bowling, Stuart proved that he wasn’t ‘little’ when it comes to being menacing. Unfortunately, just after the game he and Kevin had to pack their bags to catch a flight back home to nurse injuries of delicate nature. (That is true at least of Kevin, if not essentially for Broad!)
Just before the Pakistan took on New Zealand, it looked like Pakistan had enough fire power in the bowling department to blow the Kiwis away. But with Pakistan’s profligacy conspiring with some sheer good luck, Taylor managed to find some good form and how! There is no other batsman who can walk across the stumps and slog the faster men like Shoaib Akhtar (for the record Shoaib was the one who used to torment hapless Indians in Mohenjodaro era) quite like Ross the Boss can! The stunning onslaught launched by him and Jacob down the order ensured that Pakistan was chasing a total a little in excess of 300, but well beyond their measly batting resources. Notably, this was the first game when Shahid wasn’t quite the bowler that we have come to know of him!
CWC’s kitty has surprises plenty though. And it was who else but England yet again today! After having Bangladesh on the mat with more than 50 runs required and just 2 wickets in hand, they managed to let Bangladesh snatch the game away right below their flaring noses and ashen faces! After enduring a tie, a couple of humdingers won by minnows, and a close affair with SA which went England’s way, Strauss must be a tired man. And worried as well with all that is happening in the Group B, where India is the only side to have secured a comfortable berth to the Quarters.
Coming to Group B, the action is well and truly heating up in Group B with India and SA locking their horns in the hot bowl at Nagpur. The Nagpur pitch is a batting paradise and if I have to exaggerate a bit, even Geoffrey Boycott’s Grandmother will have no problems to get a few runs on this wicket. That will be good news for Indians as most of the Indian batsmen love that extra bit of pace on their bats.
India has managed to stay unbeaten throughout the tournament, even if they haven’t really been able to impose themselves convincingly. That is one factor that gives India an edge, what with South Africa’s confidence having taken a beating from that embarrassing loss against England. South Africa’s best chance will be to bat first and put Indians under pressure as the evening air may just aid a bit of swing. Indian batting hasn’t really been tested against some good bowling yet and if SA manages to make India chase, it will be quite an interesting affair. On paper both teams have a batting line-up that can come up with fireworks on this track. Using another cliché, it will be the bowling and fielding that will really decide which team comes up trumps. I am keenly waiting for the moment when Mahi announces the team. Trust me you may be in for a surprise or two and so will be the South Africans.
Did you just ask me my guess as to who will win this game? Well, if I have to go by the latest results, India has a decent chance of making up for losing the ODI series in SA. The margin of difference between the two sides is however so little that I wouldn’t be surprised if we get another tie. And if that happens, I would have ‘Warne’d you in advance. So what if not on Twitter!
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 19 April 2011 14:49 |
