Memorable Barbados
Posted by battleinsports on March 13, 2007
For the next 47 days starting today a total of 240 players (coaches and supporting staff extra), representing 16 different countries would fight their sweat out on field with an eye to a ticket for the final frontier on 28th April, 2007 at Barbados. India, a self proclaimed conglomerate of more than a billion cricket pundits, would also take a shot again to fulfill the already fuelled dream of lifting the elusive cup. Hopes, prayers, heartbreaks, depressions and desperation would characterize this already frenzy sub continent for the next one and a half month. That doesn’t mean that in the most likely event of India not managing to claim the honors this madness would die down. This game has become a religion and its players more powerful than god. World cup or no cup it would still challenge the once colonized game to look at her in the awe of passion and marketing potential that it generates.
However, as most other illiterates (the non professionals/pseudo experts) I also do have certain things to say at the risk of being proven wrong at every possible challenge.
Australia – Still the most favourites to win the cup, doesn’t matter what damage a bunch of wingless birds did to it a few days back. If ever and on any-day the biggest challenge is thrown down under it has to be from sub continent. Ignore them at your own peril.
England – One of the dogs (Under/over whatever one may call) and on its day (which is expectantly rarest of rare occasion) could beat anybody except Australia. Even though accidentally Barmy army had a lot to cheer recently I don’t have very high expectations.
New Zeland – Unpredictable yet playable. Most over rated and under delivered team ever to play on field. With arguably the best playing captain and 10 other dibly dobly all-rounders this time they were on a high before Bangladesh cut into their already extinct wings. However, with proper motivation and support they are a potential semi finalist.
Pakistan – Predict the unpredictable. Super eight – ok but semifinal – nobody knows. A depleted side, low on moral but high on everything else with world class batsman and Ranji standard bowling. Coach – expert on laptop but weak in Urdu so communication seems to be the problem.
West Indies – After what happened in the warm up match (they warmed up much more than required and hence couldn’t sustain the on field temperature) and the jinx associated with host nation (Srilanka – a lucky aberration) odds are stacked against them. However, one and only player could upset all these with a little help from others. Possible candidate for semifinal.
Sri Lanka – Ideal team for pitches where deliveries take a full day to travel 22 yards. Irritating and unplanned to say the least, they might find this Caribbean to their liking. However, considering their record on neutral venues and oppositions I am not very hopeful about them.
South Africa – The team to look out for. The unluckiest team from the time they stepped into the cup these players are a sure treat to watch on song. Pitch is not to their liking, one dimensional attack, too much reliance on technology and chocking tendency in big matches – all are predictable. But still for me they are one going to be of the last 4 teams.
India – If passion and population is the parameter then no comments. Based on pure cricketing funda (which surely I lack) this team has the potential to reach the last 4 depending on many ifs and buts. Batting – better than average, bowling – Ok in pace, best in spin. With a little bit of focus and free mind they can do wonders.
Rest of the world – Anybody from this could go anywhere. They could vanish, perish or shine in the unexpected glory. For the uplifting of the cricket, from ICC’s point of view, one of them should ideally repeat Kenya’s performance of 2003. If they can then nothing like it (just hope not at the expense of India) but even if they can’t the process should continue. cricket has a long long way to go before even think of being a truly global sport like soccer.
So, here we are. A few hours away from the most wasteful activity of watching a 8 hr game with disturbed night sleep making sure the dooms day of official work. However, as they say – play for the spirit and play for the enjoyment for it comes only once in 4 years.
Best of luck to all teams and let cricket come out the winner with an icing called India.
