da gbg bet： The first week of the 2003 World Cup has gone by after causing agreat deal of heartache for a lot of people
Erapalli Prasanna18-Feb-2003The first week of the 2003 World Cup has gone by after causing agreat deal of heartache for a lot of people. The biggest surprisewas South Africa losing twice. And if the double blow was not badenough for the host nation, they have lost Jonty Rhodes to aninjury while Allan Donald seems to be struggling in his finalhurrah.
© ReutersTalking of Donald, another great cricketer who was looking tosign off in style by winning the World Cup, Shane Warne, hassadly been forced to fly back home after failing a drugs test. I,for one, was looking forward to seeing the blonde bombshell takeon the world’s best batsmen. Arguably the best spin bowler of hisera, Warne’s loss to diuretics has taken some sheen off the WorldCup. He would definitely have played a major role in the latterstages of the tournament when the tracks were expected to takeincreasing turn.Despite Warne’s loss, the popular wisdom is that Australia willgo all the way and win the coveted Cup. But I still have mydoubts regarding their batting. In the game against Pakistan,they probably got away because Waqar Younis failed to apply morepressure when his team had their opponents on the mat. As for thegame against India, Australia did not even have to bat for morethan 20 odd overs.All credit, though, to Andrew Symonds for playing such a superbinnings under pressure against Pakistan. Despite this, I,however, still feel that the Australian middle-order might justcave in during an important game. That is when they would sorelymiss the experience of Steve Waugh, their saviour on moreoccasions than one. Remember, that in the previous World Cup, itwas two great efforts – one by Steve Waugh and the other abrilliant spell from Warne – that took Australia to the covetedtrophy.Brian Lara’s brilliant comeback has, meanwhile, revitalised theWest Indies’ World Cup ambitions. No team can under-estimate thebatting strength of the men from the caribbean, but it is their bowling that looks a bit weak with the part-timers having to chip in with 20 overs.This will leave them exposed against a strong batting side.India’s performance thus far in this World Cup has been dismal. Their batting looks woefully short of confidence, and sadly the message that is being communicated by the body language of the senior players does not make for happy reading.That said, I am deeply saddened by the violent reaction of somefans in India; such mindless acts will only have a negativeeffect on the team. It brings to mind the sad scenes towards theend of the 1996 World Cup semi-final game against Sri Lanka atKolkata. No matter what, violence is certainly not the solutionto any problem.
© ReutersI feel for the passionate fans of this wonderful game, who feelhurt and let down by the performance of the Indian team. Theunhealthy extent to which the media and the commercial folks havehyped up the game is beginning to prove detrimental now. If thetrend continues, Indian cricket is in real danger of sufferingthe fate of the proverbial golden goose.Having said that, the Indian cricket team and the management, inparticular, deserve all the criticism that is coming their way.The voices that are coming out of the Indian camp provides littlereassurance. If the team management can’t really make out what isgoing wrong with the players, then it is a serious problem thatthe BCCI has to address as soon as possible.I do not doubt the talent and ability of the Indian cricketers,may it be Sourav Ganguly or Mohamad Kaif. These guys have provedto us in the past that they have it in them to do well and wingames for India. With this being the case, I feel that if theforeign coach, sports psychologist, and the computer analyst workdiligently, the players wouldn’t be left feeling as clueless.When it comes to giving advice, I can, for starters, tell our batsmenthis – they need to work hard on their footwork! I am amazed thatsomeone like Rahul Dravid looks so stiff and immobile at thecrease. The same is the case with most of the other players -their feet are not going anywhere, and they have been playingaway from the body, a cardinal sin as far as any top-notch batsman is concerned. All said, my best wishes are still with the Indian team. They nowhave to win the next game against Zimbabwe, though I cannot help but shudder at the very thought of it possibly being a green top at Harare.New Zealand is one team I expect to be in the World Cup final.They have in Chris Cairns a quality all-rounder who can win agame on his own. He will certainly bowl more in the coming gamesand that will add a definite edge to their cricket.
© ReutersWhen it comes to their skipper, Sourav Ganguly should try tolearn something from Stephen Fleming. It was a few tacticalblunders by the Kiwi captain that lost his team their openinggame against Sri Lanka. I wouldn’t have expected Fleming to dropVettori, and even decide to bowl first against Sri Lanka. Themistake was made, the game was lost, and New Zealand got off to apoor start. But importantly they did not give up.Fleming and his boys were not willing to let their heads drop,even when South Africa scored 306 against them. Had not rainintervened, I am certain that New Zealand would have scored allthe runs needed to win the game. Fleming led from the front,played a knock that was simply surreal, and took New Zealand tovictory. Indeed, he richly deserves the title – Captain Marvel.This World Cup has gotten off to a stunning start, breaking a lotof hearts and yet providing joy to millions of fans around theworld. The quality of cricket too has been excellent. As we headinto the second week, Australia are at their dominant best. SouthAfrica, meanwhile, are continuing to choke. As for India, theymust play for their life in the remaining games. But when itcomes to picking the team that would go the distance, New Zealandstill remain my favourites.