Cricket World Cup - the week of the minnows

What an eventful first week it was at the ICC Cricket World Cup. All the teams had their first outing, some produced predicted results, some not so predicted ones, while some just surprised every pundit of the game. Austrailia, South Africa, West Indies and New Zealand came out all smiling. While the Aussies proved that they are still the best and professional at their game, the Proteas displayed their aggressive intent on the field. Herschelle Gibbs the hero of the Wanderers chase last year, established a new one day record when he dispatched 6 sixes in an over. Playing against the minnows, these teams were expected to show some fireworks, but that was something amazing.

Talking about the minnows, the 2 major teams from the sub-continent are going to have some jitters when they hear this word - minnows. Yesterday, Pakistan was sent crashing out of the World Cup by a team who was making their debut in this tournament. Nothing absolutely nothing is worth writing about the Pakistan team's performance at this world cup. The days of Imran Khan - inspired Pakistan team, which had great bowlers tormenting their oppositions, and batsmen who could still smash a last ball-6 and win matches, seem like fairy tales, when you observe the utter mundane performances generated by these bunch of players. As is always said, there is something more than what meets the eye, about the Pakistani team. I sense, there is a lot of in-house struggle going on in their camp, which resulted in an out of sorts performance. For sure there will be heads rolling, Inzy and Woolmer will be the first scapegoats. What happens to this team, after they return back home, will be a big drama played before the press. So I wont be surprised to read some eye-catching stories being reported from there. India, well they had a bad day out. Bangladesh applied themselves clinically to their game and emerged winners at the end. For India, it was that day when none of your plans workout. This being the first match, India have their task cutout for the next 2 games, if they have to hope to go through to the next round. In my opinion, Sehwag should be made to sit out, he is not delivering any performances for such a long time. Dinesh Kartik would strengthen the opening pair with Robin Uthappa. But lets see what Mr. Chappell has in his "Vision-2007" plan. But this group looks quite open now. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are both bouyed up, and with India desperate to improve there are some great games to follow in the coming weeks.

England, well this team looks quite the antithesis of the one which had won the Ashes. Those glorious summer days of 2005 have now become distant history. But this team could still get through the next round unless Canada pull off another major upset. Lets see what the second round of matches have in store for us.