Which will be the fourth team in the semis?
Mar 31, 2007 - 9:11:32 AM
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An abbreviated tournament like the Champions Trophy has been up the West Indies' street. They won the 2004 event and reached the final last year. The latter, though, was built on some blistering batting by Chris Gayle. It's difficult to discern the consistency the home side need to clinch no less than two of three games versus Sri Lanka, South Africa and England.
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By Ashis Ray,
[RxPG] After the earthquake of India and Pakistan's ejection, the Super Eight stage has so far unfolded in a predictable pattern. As in the 1999 World Cup, three teams from the southern hemisphere look set to square up in the semi-finals, with the other place up for grabs between Sri Lanka, England and the West Indies.
On current form, Australia seem to be the most resilient, but all it requires is one slip with the bat or ball in the knockout phase to spoil the party. With Brett Lee missing from their attack and Glen McGrath slightly over the hill, the bowling may be Australia's soft under-belly. But it would be a mistake to underestimate either Stuart Clarke or Mitchell Johnson; and Shane Watson's quicker pace gives them a variety in terms of their fifth bowler, where otherwise they might have had to depend on Andrew Symonds or Michael Clarke.
Where the Australians haven't been tested is in the area of chasing an imposing total. How their otherwise authoritative top order batsmen will fare under such a situation on perhaps a slowing pitch will be fascinating to watch. If they can emerge unscathed in these circumstances, they will deserve to be saluted.
Though less trumpeted, New Zealand are playing smart and solid cricket; and they are not lacking confidence either, having quite recently white-washed the Aussies at home, albeit not a full strength opposition. The Kiwis' bowling is more incisive than their batting. They have genuine pace upfront in Shane Bond, extra bounce from the tall, broad-shouldered Jacob Oram and drift and spin from Daniel Vettori. By comparison, their batters look unspectacular, but they have depth and are unlikely to relent easily.
As for the world's number one ranked one-day team at present - South Africa - their first four batsmen are all capable of carrying the attack to their opponents. But unless Shaun Pollock mixes up his diminishing pace, an increasing number of sides will target this previously economical bowler, while the absence of a regular spinner in their line-up renders their bowling a sameness which may not be suitable for all pitches. Having said that, the Proteas are still a tough nut to crack; and by beating Sri Lanka, they crossed a high hurdle on an unfavourable wicket. The match between them and New Zealand in the Super Eight on April 14 is a mouth-watering prospect.
Sri Lanka may have defeated India, but this does not by itself make them a contender for the title, for the Indians self-destructed. They should enjoy an advantage over the West Indies, since this match will be held in Guyana; but in Antigua, if England select for Liam Plunkett and Jon Lewis, their bowlers should be equally suited to the track on offer, while their more challenging encounters against New Zealand and Australia will take place in Grenada, which has never had the reputation of producing slow, rough surfaces. In other words, the Sri Lankans would need to win at least two of the four mentioned fixtures to progress to the last four - that is assuming they have no difficulties against Ireland.
England having invented one-day cricket are not inventive. Their problem is that captain Michael Vaughan is struggling to regain form and their first three batsmen are unable cash in on the power plays and Andrew Flintoff hasn't quite ignited. Kevin Pietersen needs to be promoted to number three, if the openers have seen the shine off the ball. The Englishmen's recent success, including winning the CB Series in Australia, have centred around the utilities of Paul Collingwood, but his credentials notwithstanding, he's no master blaster. England require to win three of their next five matches to be in the running for a semi-final slot, one of them being against Bangladesh.
An abbreviated tournament like the Champions Trophy has been up the West Indies' street. They won the 2004 event and reached the final last year. The latter, though, was built on some blistering batting by Chris Gayle. It's difficult to discern the consistency the home side need to clinch no less than two of three games versus Sri Lanka, South Africa and England.
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