The world cup is now wide open
So whats going on in the cricket world? Australia loosing 5 in a row? Ganguly diving on the field and taking spectacular catches? India actually having a pace attack worth talking about? Marlon Samuels (who???) embroiled in a fixing controversy?
Strange happenings, are'nt they? especially when the world cup is just round the corner. Rumour mills are working overtime. I have heard some really ridiculous ones such as Australia throwing games so that there is some interest still left in the world cup which, until not too long ago was theirs for the taking. I mean get over it guys, was'nt fixing in cricket a copyright of the subcontinent? Why would the Aussies throw games? why would they care if there is interest in the WC or not? They would just want to win it, and so would the other teams. So lets just forget all these stupid speculations and enjoy what promises to be an exciting tournament.
Team India looks nice and balanced. Batting is clicking, bowling is doing reasonably well, and with some young guys diving around fielding looks good as well. If only someone could find a solution to the conundrum that is Irfan Pathan, I think we would be a complete team. The very fact that Dinesh Karthick was picked to replace Pathan shows us that he now considered a pure batting option and no longer an all rounder, let alone being considered a bowler. And whats with him being picked inspite of being injured? Need some answers about him and need 'em fast.
The guys making a comeback to the team have performed admirably, or at least most of them have. Zaheer is is fine form, his swing and perfect length almost always providing an early breakthrough. Ganguly, well he has really been born again, has'nt he!! Down and dusted, not getting along with the coach, falling out(allegedly) with some of his teammates, no one really gave him a chance to make a comeback. Then when he was recalled to the test side, everyone thought that even if he did get this far, there is absolutely no place for him in th ODI side. But he made it, and how!!! To see him bat like he used to is really heartening. To see him dive around on the field is really refreshing, and , I dont know if its me or is it for real that he seems to have more hair on his head now. Last time I saw him, he was balding!! With Sehwag's form on a downward spiral, I felt initially that Sachin and him need to be re-united at the top, but the meteoric rise of Uthapa, that looks unlikely. The other comeback man though has left a lot to be desired and raised a lot of questions. I am talking about Anil Kumble. There is no doubt he is a liability in the field (his "knee first" diving technique is as ridiculous as it is hilarious) . I think our loss to Sri Lanka in the second ODI was brought about by his wasting 5 balls which Dhoni could have used. And lets face it, there is not too many places where you play 2 specialist spinners in an ODI. And with Sehwag, Sachin and Yuvi more that capable of sharing 10 overs, why the selectors have decided to to pick Kumble is beyond me.
So the stage is set for the Carribean magnum-opus. More teams this time, degrading the opening round to merely something that will decide who play who is the super-eights as opposed to a who makes it there thing. A super eights instead of the old super-sixes. Less number of venues which means less travelling for teams, something for the Americans to worry about .
But most importantly the "anyone can win it" feeling. South Africa in cracking form, Australia wounded and waiting to strike back, New Zealand on the moon after whitewashing the Aussies, England and Sri Lanka trying to get their acts together, Inidia also having a good recent record, and as always the unpredictable Pakistanis. Really sets the stage up does'nt it.
Predictions anyone?
Strange happenings, are'nt they? especially when the world cup is just round the corner. Rumour mills are working overtime. I have heard some really ridiculous ones such as Australia throwing games so that there is some interest still left in the world cup which, until not too long ago was theirs for the taking. I mean get over it guys, was'nt fixing in cricket a copyright of the subcontinent? Why would the Aussies throw games? why would they care if there is interest in the WC or not? They would just want to win it, and so would the other teams. So lets just forget all these stupid speculations and enjoy what promises to be an exciting tournament.
Team India looks nice and balanced. Batting is clicking, bowling is doing reasonably well, and with some young guys diving around fielding looks good as well. If only someone could find a solution to the conundrum that is Irfan Pathan, I think we would be a complete team. The very fact that Dinesh Karthick was picked to replace Pathan shows us that he now considered a pure batting option and no longer an all rounder, let alone being considered a bowler. And whats with him being picked inspite of being injured? Need some answers about him and need 'em fast.
The guys making a comeback to the team have performed admirably, or at least most of them have. Zaheer is is fine form, his swing and perfect length almost always providing an early breakthrough. Ganguly, well he has really been born again, has'nt he!! Down and dusted, not getting along with the coach, falling out(allegedly) with some of his teammates, no one really gave him a chance to make a comeback. Then when he was recalled to the test side, everyone thought that even if he did get this far, there is absolutely no place for him in th ODI side. But he made it, and how!!! To see him bat like he used to is really heartening. To see him dive around on the field is really refreshing, and , I dont know if its me or is it for real that he seems to have more hair on his head now. Last time I saw him, he was balding!! With Sehwag's form on a downward spiral, I felt initially that Sachin and him need to be re-united at the top, but the meteoric rise of Uthapa, that looks unlikely. The other comeback man though has left a lot to be desired and raised a lot of questions. I am talking about Anil Kumble. There is no doubt he is a liability in the field (his "knee first" diving technique is as ridiculous as it is hilarious) . I think our loss to Sri Lanka in the second ODI was brought about by his wasting 5 balls which Dhoni could have used. And lets face it, there is not too many places where you play 2 specialist spinners in an ODI. And with Sehwag, Sachin and Yuvi more that capable of sharing 10 overs, why the selectors have decided to to pick Kumble is beyond me.
So the stage is set for the Carribean magnum-opus. More teams this time, degrading the opening round to merely something that will decide who play who is the super-eights as opposed to a who makes it there thing. A super eights instead of the old super-sixes. Less number of venues which means less travelling for teams, something for the Americans to worry about .
But most importantly the "anyone can win it" feeling. South Africa in cracking form, Australia wounded and waiting to strike back, New Zealand on the moon after whitewashing the Aussies, England and Sri Lanka trying to get their acts together, Inidia also having a good recent record, and as always the unpredictable Pakistanis. Really sets the stage up does'nt it.
Predictions anyone?
posted by Amit at 8:59 AM
1 Comments:
:)
Yea the world cup is anyone's to win. Let's see what happens though. Am a little more optimistic about India's chances after their performances in the Warm up games.
But miles to go and all that!
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