One-day cricket has become synonymous with tall scores, achieved through a glut of boundaries and sixes. Batsmen tend to dominate the proceedings on flat wickets and the bowlers generally go through the motions. However, I suspect that the 2007 World Cup will not subscribe to this tradition.
The evidence gathered during the warmup matches suggests that spinners will play a significant role in the competition, on wickets that will be ‘slow and low’. From the Australian point of view, it is vital that Brad Hogg bowls well, and is ably supported by Michael Clarke and Andrew Symonds. The latter’s injury has been a huge concern, but I have heard that his recovery is ‘ahead of schedule’. There is of course a danger of trying to do too much too soon, but I guess they are targeting the encounter against South Africa — their last one of the league stage — as far as Symonds is concerned. Scotland and The Netherlands have some good players, but Ricky Ponting’s team has superior firepower, and that is putting it mildly.
They may have slipped off the No. 1 spot in the rankings, but I would still anoint Australia as the No. 1 contender for the title. They are the side other teams would not want to play. The opening combination of Adam Gilchrist and Shane Watson may have clicked in the warmup game against England, but I expect to see Matthew Hayden in his trademark position. It is not too long since he scored the small matter of 181 runs in a one-day international, and he should definitely open in the first few games at least. Watson is an effective striker of the ball, and he has the ability to adapt to the middle and final stages of the innings.
Symonds’ return will restore the balance of the side. His presence lends an impregnable look to a batting lineup that begins with Gilchrist, Hayden and Ponting. The bowling has been a cause for concern in recent times, and I expect to see Shaun Tait and Nathan Bracken share the new ball and take the lead in ensuring that the horrors of the New Zealand tour aren’t repeated. McGrath will be the third quickie, Watson the fourth and Hogg the solitary specialist spinner, with Clarke and Symonds chipping in.
This may sound strange, but I believe that Stuart Clark will pose a stiff challenge to McGrath. ‘Pigeon’s experience will ensure his presence in the first few games, but not subsequently. Performance will be the key.
What holds true for the third paceman’s slot holds true for the competition itself.
Australia apart, I must admit to having a soft corner for the sub-continental teams. The wickets and conditions will be to their liking. India look good, and as for the Pakistanis, you can never presume anything, can you? The Sri Lankans have excelled in such conditions before, and while I don’t foresee Bangladesh going all the way, they are certainly capable of giving their opponents a tough time.
South Africa are a quality side, but they rely far too much on Shaun Pollock and the other seamers, and the conditions may not suit them. New Zealand are the ‘dark horses’, in that they bat deep and have this cluster of seamers who can exploit the ‘slow and low’ wickets splendidly.
The ‘host-nation curse’ might just afflict the West Indies, although you can never say what might happen if one or two stalwarts get going. The same applies to England. They have had their moments of glory in the recent past, but I can’t see them making an impact unless two or three players carry the side on their shoulders. I don’t recall the last time a Cricket World Cup was as ‘open’ as this one. We will have to wait and see who copes best with the pressure and thereby ‘closes’ it!
