You do not have to be a die-hard cricket fan to pronounce that Australia are expected to win today’s semifinal. The way they have played in the competition, they do not seem to be bothered by concepts like the ‘law of averages’. Their players have this knack of excelling in make-or-break situations, and there cannot be a bigger occasion than the knockout stage of cricket’s biggest event. Yet, it would be unwise to discount the South Africans.
Why are the Australians ruling the roost in the competition, and indeed, in world cricket? The reason is that the approach of each and every member of their national side is identical. It is unlike what we see in Pakistan and India, where the cricketers have diverse attitudes and approaches. Some players may be decent in the field, while others may be poor. Some batsmen may be comfortable with both front-foot and back-foot strokes, while others may be strong off only the front foot. If at all we need to learn something from the Australians, it is their commitment to excellence at the junior and domestic levels of the sport. They produce outstanding cricketers in such numbers only because of the hard work put in by their former cricketers and administrators at the lower levels. They do not believe in the subcontinental policy of finding ‘teachers’ for those who have already reached the international level. A player who has been exposed to quality ‘education’ earlier on will stand a better chance of succeeding at the highest level than someone who hasn’t. It’s as simple as that.
What India and Pakistan ought to do is set up a group of former cricketers who will evolve an ideal coaching method. Once this is done, they could educate others in the same, and ensure that youngsters all over the country receive similar training and tips. If you hire a foreign coach, then first make him ‘coach your coaches’, who will then return to their respective academies and preach his methods to their wards. This will ensure a consistent and complementary development of cricketing skills across the land.
The consistent Australians will certainly not be bothered about whether they bat or bowl first later today. They know they have the batting to score or surpass any total. They also know that they have the bowling to dent and demolish the best batting lineups. The South Africans will not be as confident, although they too have a formidable side. Graeme Smith’s men have a tendency to struggle while chasing, and it is this that they will be worried about. What also goes against them to a certain extent is the predictable nature of their bowling attack. Their fast bowlers do a good job when the wickets offer bounce and movement, but I don’t think they will get too much of both in the semifinal of a World Cup being played in the Caribbean. The wicket in all probability will be flat and batting-friendly.
Matthew Hayden is one player the South Africans would have discussed extensively. The selectors, who picked him for the tournament despite his indifferent form, deserve to take a bow. The South Africans will be over the moon if they get him early, but then, will it make too much of a difference? For the Australians are known to chip in for each other in pressure situations. Someone is bound to raise his hand and respond to the situation. Cricket-lovers will feel that the encounter has already begun, what with newspapers and TV channels reporting statements and counter-statements by players of both sides. Frankly, these are just gimmicks. They don’t make the slightest difference to those who have made it to the highest level. What matters is performance on the field.
Can Graeme Smith’s men do what their 1999 counterparts came within one run of achieving? We will know very soon.
