A long and dull world cup

Read my earlier blog written before world cup:

http://shanemukesh.blogspot.com/2007/02/end-reached-for-australian-cricket.html

Finally the world cup is over!

As expected(for me), it was one sided drama through out for Aussies. They came, they thrashed, they ruled. But overall, it was very dull, disappointed world cup. Only four matches(Eng – Srilanka , Eng – WI , Srilanka – RSA and Ireland – Zimbabwe) created some interest. All other matches were one sided. But real tragedy was murder of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer. After that, I lost the interest in this tournament – there can not be anything which can substitute one’s life. What a flaw in security arrangements! Hope at least the investigation ends up with punishing the culprits.

About champions..

Congratulations to Australia. They are real champions. I am really impressed with some of the new guys performance like Tait and Watson. Michael Clark looking ready to step in Ponting’s place (eventhough Ponting can continue playing for next 3-4 years). And salutes to their oldies – Mcgrath, Hayden, Gilchrist and Hogg. Opposition looked nothing in front of all-in-form Aussies. But, I don’t know why, I liked Ireland’s chicken dance more than Australia’s winning celebrations. J

This world cup may be memorable for many records like Hayden’s fastest century, Gibbs six sixes, Malinga’s four wickets in four balls, Mcgrath’s highest wickets in a world cup, India’s maximum runs against Bermuda, Ireland and Bangladesh’ upsets and many more. For me, following 5 are the top memorable moments:

1. Collingwood’s catch against WI
2. Johnston’s chicken dance whenever he gets wicket
3. Pieterson’s century against WI
4. Lara’s runout in his last ODI
5. Hayden’s century against RSA especially that back to back sixes of Pollock.

Other than Srilanka, Kiwis also played well but nobody could give Aussies a fight. Also salutes to outgoing heroes Lara, Mcgrath, Jayasurya, Inzamam, Kumble and Australian coach Buchanen.

About India’s performance..

I am happy that we lost in first round. This should be some wake up call for BCCI. I hope we keep loosing for next 2 years or may be till next world cup. I am really unhappy with the politics playing around BCCI. There should be somebody to take serious look on the way the Indian cricket gone and heading. It is not about playing a game at home (or against minnows), score a century and make sure that you get lot of commercials and take your place granted for decades in the team. It is high time we should realize we cannot win by emotions, history and statistics – we should perform. There is no substitute for hard work and dedication like the way Aussies played. Only loosing will help to look into reality like infrastructure, grounds and nature of pitches, quality of players and coaches here – because most of the time we won, we become blind about the loop holes and problems. We need a complete structured and corruption free cricket board. Hope this will happen…

All comments welcome.

The end reached for Australian cricket dominance??

I am writing this article when New Zealand thrash Aussies 3-0 in Hadlee-Chappel trophy. Congratulations Kiwis for this wonderful show(remember there were no Bond and Vettori in last match). Many records were broken during the tournament. Aussies faced hugest margin (by wickets) loss, New Zealand successfully chased 2 of top 3 in ODI history, Mcmillan scored fastest ODI hundred by Kiwis, the last match equaled maximum number of sixes (26) in a match, Haydos record breaking innings.....you name it. Australia lost last 5 matches in a row after 11 years! They lost 6 matches out of last 7! What a tragic ending(?) for the dominating decade in international cricket. They won last 2 world cups and were runner up in the previous to that. Is it end to Aussies dominance in the world cricket?

One of my friend called me over the phone and was telling - 'shame to Aussies. They will never reach even quarterfinals (he meant super '8')'. I can only laugh at this as I think he got over excited on Australia’s lost. I requested him to keep his all comments till end of the world cup and lets see how much valid they are - by then.

I beg all to differ. I agree sometime they look like bad losers or very arrogant. But remember - the second fiddle team (without their top 3 batsmen out of top order 4, without their in-form captain, without their dangerous all-rounder, without their fast and furious bowler) gave close fight in last 2 matches. I strongly believe loosing matters to the teams with low confident. But the team like Australia loosing is just a wake up call. Remember what happened in the last Ashes...

This will be the last world cup for most of the senior guys in Australia team. I think it will be last international performance for Gilchrist, Hayden, Mcgrath and their coach Buchanan. They definitely want to end their career in style. Ponting is in full form in last 2-3 years (hmmm when was he out of form in his international career?). Mr. cricket is perfect replacement for Micheal Bevan. Aussies fielding is far better than other teams. Only worry for them seems in bowling department. But you can never underestimate Mcgrath. Braken is also doing well. Only thing they are missing is Warney. They don't have replacement for world's best spinner. The spinners in the Australia team are only there for finishing the overs - but not wicket taking bowlers. Remember '99 and '96 world cup semi finals? It was Warney who turned the low scoring matches.

Please remember I am not a Australian cricket fan (am just a Shane Warne fan, but that is altogether different matter) but I like the way they play cricket professionally.

I bet Aussies definitely reach semis, at least. After that it will be one match wonder. Anything can happen. Still my mind says Aussies will retain the cup this time too. But you never know what will happen in cricket....that's why we love the game, right?

Ok, something other that Australia cricket – whom I think the cricketers to watch in this world cup? KP in batting and Bond in bowling. All comments welcome.