As South Africa slowly comes to terms with the exit of their cricket team from the World Cup, the connoisseurs of the game are asking whether this Super Six lineup is a waste of time. Anything a South African says on this matter would be construed as a case of sour grapes, but I think it is flawed that as many points are given for having won league games as for winning games from hereon. As a result, all of Australia’s games will be dead ones, and they will be eager to win not for the sake of going through to the semis, they already have, but for the sake of extending their winning streak. Not an ideal situation for a World Cup.
Who are the teams that can threaten Australia. They meet New Zealand, who have given them some trouble in the recent past, in the Super Sixes’ second game. However, their first game will not be a pushover either. Muralitharan’s spin might not be too effective in Centurion, but Chaminda Vaas’ swing certainly might be. The left-arm bowler might be particularly dangerous because the Australian openers have not done too well so far. However, for Sri Lanka to threaten, their openers have to do well, and Sanath Jayasuriya has had his problems against Glenn McGrath. Here again, the fact that Jason Gillespie will not be available, might be a blessing for the Lankans. His skiddy bowling is the kind that always worries subcontinent players. For them, the slower bowling of Andy Bichel will be easier to face. The loss of Gillespie when he was bowling superbly must be particularly disheartening for Ricky Ponting. Sure, Bichel did well against England, but that was a slow pitch. On the normal bouncy tracks of South Africa, Gillespie would always threaten more. As a former member of the paceman’s club – that word “former” still feels uncomfortable – I know that there is no right time for an injury. However, right at the start of the Super Sixes in a World Cup is the worst possible time.
India take on Kenya at Newlands. It’s a day-night game, which means batting second will be tough. However, with the Indian batting going great guns right now, I don’t think they will break into a sweat to overcome the Kenyans, even if they bat second. A win at Newlands will ensure that India goes through to the semis. The connoisseurs might complain, but I’m sure no one’s complaining in Calcutta!
