ICC World Cup - The Comedy of Errors ends

The curtains finally came down on a farcically organised and ridiculously managed World Cup. For the past 45-plus days, there was a lot of talk of how ICC mishandled the tournament. The final match was a sublime example of how worse it can be. Keeping aside the cricket played by the two teams, the chaos created by the delayed start when the crowds were anxious if they would get to see any cricket or not, all the permutations and combinations were being discussed of how the match could proceed given the rainy conditions and when finally the match did get underway, the closing stages were even more farcical. If this is how the ICC wants to increase the popularity of the game, then they are seriously mistaken. There is a fundamental truth in science, keep it short and simple, that way people understand and embrace it better. Any person who is not from a cricket playing nation, could have not understood what the chaos was all about. A moment he watched a team celebrate, moments later he notices them come back to the ground and continue the game, there is no explanation to this situational comedy of errors. The rules are spoiling the fun of the game. I mean why cant we have a simple 50 over match, for heaven's sake, this is the World Cup, we should get to watch a complete game, if not now then whats the fun in the event. We never see a match cut short due to bad weather in any of the other sports (not to mention the much criticised Duckworth-Lewis rule and its pathetic implementations). We never heard of a Football match reduced to 60 minutes, a tennis match being reduced to 2 sets, or (even more imaginative) a 100 meter dash cut short, due to bad weather. All this happens only in Cricket, thanks to the money minded organisers of the game - the ICC, who is filled with people, most of whom have never played the game themselves and who only know how to cash in on the support of the fan following.

Lets talk about the good part of the World Cup - Cricket. Austrailia have proven their ability in all conditions and against all teams. Winning 29 games on the trot spread across 3 editions of the tournament is plainly phenomenal. This Austrailian team has demonstrated, what perfectionism, professionalism and sheer hardwork is all about. Ricky Ponting, who in my opinion is undoubtedly the best captain, has never got it wrong so far. We hear the talk of teams having those nervous moments in the big games, a world cup final for example, we see players doing it all wrong on the big day, succumbing to the pressure and then we see this current Austrailian team who delivers one superlative performance after another in the big matches. Stage-fright, is a word which doesnt seem to exist in the Austrailian Cricket dictionary. This World Cup final was probably the last outing for many players. Most of them got it right and signed out with their heads held high. Mc Grath, though couldnt boast of an amazing spell did manage to get a wicket. Jayasuriya, got a 50 at more than run-a-ball. Gilchrist, who could have probably played his last World Cup innings, scored a century in a typically aggressive manner that has made him one of the best wicketkeeper-batsmen of the game. And yes he took a great catch to grant his old team mate McGrath a wicket in the latters penultimate delivery. In the end it was a well and truly deserved Austrailia who were crowned the World Champions and if they continue their game, they could surely repeat the act 4 years from now. Sri Lanka were the deserving runners-up. They displayed good cricket over the past few weeks, albeit the final hiccup (which is not surprising, considering who their opponents were), they were a strong team throughout the tournament. Much more was expected from New Zealand and South Africa, but both failed to impress in the important semi-final games. New Zealand has made record appearances in the semi-final games so far. Its a pity they have never progressed any further. South Africa, seem to be sticking loyally to their tag of "chokers". The other teams were as un noticeable as a pebble on a rocky beach.

There was a lot of talk of crowds not turning up for the matches. A major reason cited was the early exit of India and Pakistan. For the next World Cup to be held in the sub-continent, I guess the ICC will now chalk up a plan such that they ensure India go through to the second round or even enter the semi-finals through the back door, only to bring in the crowds and the money from the sponsors! With such a great fan following and hero worshiping, the cricket lovers in India deserve an Indian team which is atleast half the strength of the current Austrailian team and not the bunch of pot-bellied non-performers who are gracing the national colors at the moment. Sachin Tendulkar has a huge popularity and is reverred as a god by many of his crazy fans in India. Agreed he was a genius in his prime days, but whats the use of those godly powers, when he could not win the World Cup atleast once in his 18 years of game, when mere mortals like Ricky Ponting have done it 3 times and each time with absolute authority.

Finally we bid farewell to the Carribean spirit which made an otherwise mis-managed World Cup, a lively affair. Even after a month, we dont know the truth behind the cruel murder of Bob Woolmer, the seriousness of the crime seems to have vanished from the public memory. This tournament had its moments, the vast number of player retirements, players being sacked, the minnows slaying the giant teams, the close finishes and tied matches, the six-ball-sixes of Herschelle Gibbs, the 4-in-4 wicket havoc of Malinga, the genius of Muralitharan, the sublime hitting of Matthew Hayden, the drinking fiascos of the Pommies, the rise of the Bangladeshi cricket and above all the continuing authority of Ricky Ponting and his band of professionals. When we reassemble in the sub-continent 4 years from now, I pray that atleast one team can stand up to challenge the Aussies.

ICC Cricket World Cup round up

Oh what a week it was. This world cup is turning out to be the most memorable ones in the history of the game. We lost one of the genuine cricketers, with the demise of Bob Woolmer. I had predicted some dramatic events after Pakistan lost to Ireland, but an outcome like this was the most tragic one. The whole episode of Bob's death has raised several questions, regarding how the game is being run by its authorities and the motives of the ICC. The investigators from Jamaica have sensed some foul play in his death. I hope the actual truth comes out and the perpetrators who have done this heinous crime are brought to justice, without the whole matter being dusted under the carpet.

The world cup was a mixture of emotions for the sub-continent teams. While the promising Sri Lankans and the vibrant Bangladeshis proceeded to super-8, the most prolific teams - India and Pakistan disappointed us. The hopes of a billion people were squashed, when India crashed out of the world cup. The men in blue had a bad outing with Bangladesh, but they broke numerable records when they played with Bermuda. Unfortunately, they could not carry the form into the all-important match against Sri Lanka. Chasing down a score of 254 must have been easy for a batting line up consisting of 3 batsmen who appear among the top scorers of one day cricket, but a focused bowling from Vaas and the magic of Murali proved to be the Waterloo of the much hyped Vision-2007 plan of Mr. Chappell. Apart from Sehwag and Dravid other batsmen did not bother the score keepers. Sachin Tendulkar, is worshipped by many as the best batsman in the world, but I personally rate him below par compared to seasoned players like Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Brian Lara and Inzamam. No matter he has scores of records to his name, but in do-or-die matches, where he is expected to stand and deliver, he disappoints most of the time. There was a time when he single handedly won matches for India, but now he resembles an old horse who is well beyond his use-by date. Apart from that single innings against minnows Bermuda, he could not create any magic in what was probably his last world cup. The thought of being bowled for a golden duck, in what could have been his last one day innings, will surely be haunting him for a long while. Well, the less written about the nondescript performances of the Indian team the better.

Australia and South Africa showed how enjoyable cricket can be. The Aussies have been delivering score of 300+ continuously for a while and now they seem to have learnt how to defend them as well. Now, that the teams for the super-8 round have been decided, we can look forward to some interesting matches. Looking at the performances in the past 2 weeks, I guess, it would be Australia, South Africa, Sri Lanka and New Zealand that could make it to the semifinals. After viewing results of the initial matches, we can hope for some more dramatic and high scoring matches in this batsman-friendly world cup.

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.

Cricket Carnival Begins

The greatest event of the cricket world, the world cup has got underway in the beautiful islands of the Carribean. This is the first time this event is being staged at these islands, and hence the entire cricketing world is excited to experience the carnival of cricket this spring. Before the tournament got underway, there were plenty of concerns about the logistics and preperation for the mega event. Several issues have cropped up indicating the underpreparedness of the authorities hosting the event. But the cheerful nature and the spirit of the Carribean folk is overcoming all these issues and we are all looking forward to an exciting tournament.

There was a hue and cry about the fitness levels of the players involved, as almost all the major teams had to battle with injuries to some of their key players and we are missing some of the great performers on this stage. I personally miss Brett Lee and Shoib Akhter. Lee was very unlucky to have missed this mega event while Akhter didnt deserve to be here at all. No matter how much we loathe him for his attitude towards the game, but we all love to watch the pindi express bowl those zipping deliveries.

World cup is the Holy Grail for all thoese who play cricket, and all the teams had been planning for it since the past 2 years. But just before the tournament began, there was a major upheavel in the cricketing world. Austrailia who were having a great form, recently lost all their last 4 matches, ending up in losing their top standing in the rankings. As a team they were marred by injuries and lost their strike bowler Brett Lee, who was a natural match winner for them. Pakistan cricket was embroidelled in the drug scandal - due to the 2 mavericks Shoaib and Asif and then lost their major player, Abdul Razzaq who was crucial to their plans for this tournament. But there were plenty of positives also coming out. New Zealand for instance proved their mettle by chasing down totals more than 300 twice and proved that they are a force to reckon in this tournament. India has struck great form as a team and are going great guns aiming for that trophy, while England and Sri Lanka have also reached the prime of their confidence.

In my opinions this tournament is slightly open with a few favourites. Austrailia is no doubt the first favourite to win the title yet again. As a team they havent been at their prime over the last few weeks, but one cant write off this great team of world class performers. South Africa and New Zealand come in next, these teams have the gut-feeling in them which make them a strong force to reckon with. If the Aussies are vary of any one then I am sure its the Proteas and the Black caps. Both the teams are in their prime form at the moment. From the Asian teams only India has a chance of laying their hands on that cup. The team looks well balanced now, with the Big-3 combining for one last time to have a shot at the elusive trophy. The whole team is confident with their performances and looks rightly balanced except Sehwag who is not performing at all. Robin Uthappa and Dinesh Kartik have brought a new dimension to the batting line up. Zaheer khan has hit great form and shall spearhead the attack with Sreesanth and the veteran Kumble will be a great asset under the spin conditions what all commentators are predicting for this tournament. From the other teams, Sri Lanka has the strength to make it to the last 4. Pakistan is as usual the most unpredictable, but with their major strike bowlers missing, very little could be expected from them. England - its the same question .. could be or could not be.

This is probably the last world cup for some of the biggest names of the cricketing history. Sachin, Dravid, Ganguly, Lara, Ponting, McGrath, Gilchrist, Flemming, Pullock, Inzamam, Jayasuriya all of them would love to sign of in style and must be eagerly clenching their fists to get on to the final 22-yards. So bring them on and let the action begin!