Time is a great leveller. Need evidence?
Look at Aussies now and how they were just few weeks back.
Matter of few weeks, Australian side considered to be #1 (even now i feel it is so) by leaps and bounds. They were leading the ICC rankings by a huge margin. After their recent maulings by England and NZ, they have been pushed to #2 with SA taking honors by 3 points.
(More details here)
End of the day these could be mere numbers.
But that does not hide the fact that how well the stage has been set for WC 2007 to kick off. Aussies were considered to be unbeatable as they kept bagging series wins and trophy wins again and again. In fact they demoralized England throughout their tour down under both on and off the field. Strangely its this England team that triggered off the most interesting story of Cricket world in recent times to unfold. They had beaten Aussies thrice in a row, in their home turf and bagged the Tri-Series trophy. NZ almost did what Aussies did to England in Australia from Nov-06 to Jan-07. NZ gave away 13 wickets in 3 matches and did a first-time white-wash of Aussies in a bilateral series invovling NZ. What more. They now have the second best (successful) chase in ODI history.
The stage is well set for an ideal Cricket extravaganza because
>> Australia has been wounded deeply & licking their wounds with a vengence now.
>> They have something to prove to this world beyond their consistent master class.
>> They are in the same group as SA which took(kicked) them to #2 for the first time.
>> Australia has now conceded top four successful run chases in ODI history.
>> Four teams have been beaten Australia convincingly in the recent past. (NZ,SA,Eng and WI).
>> 12 points separates teams between #3 to #8 now.
Its not other teams Vs Aussies. Its not at all.
Cricket followers will be a fool to write them off as yet.
But still with the recent happenings there is a new excitement that has been built-up.
It can only get better from here.
Its a World Cup and its anybody's Cup.
Cricket lovers could not have asked anything more than this before the start of this mega event.
More to come in this space ...as we inch closer to Carribean Curtain Raiser.
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6 comments:
Very true, the fever has started....
-Arif
Kummi NZ is gonna take the cup this time…
Vivek Kulkarni
The game it is... there will always be surprises
But 5 surprises in a row is way too much Ponting, Gilly and Hussey can handle..
Things will turn around before the world realises it...
It is going to be Aussies all the way....
-Mal
Kummi
We will repeat 1983 again this time. Take it from me Dravid & Dada will prove it.
let the final be like one of those exciting game of Aus and SA where SA chased a big total and finally won.. let the game win.
1.S.Ganguly
---i'm sure his autobiography when written would be sold out more copies than Mahatma Gandhi
2. R. Uthappa
---- Some say he got luck.
But i say he was at the right place at the right moment.
3.Yuvraj Singh
------ He is one player whose pic is going to be on the walls of every cricket enthusiast room after world cup
4.S. Tendulkar
------ Am i suitable to say anything abt him. he is the one who took cricket into the kitchens . it was found that women in india started to watch cricket only when sachin made waves. before that only so called gentlemen used to watch the game.
5.R.Dravid
------ Can u ever be so patient as him. Surely has the charisma and talent to hold the cup On April 28.
V.Sehwag
-------
There will always be a silence before a storm.
This viru , if he takes the game seriously can seriously bring the cup home
M.Dhoni
--------
"Milk sales has boosted by 7% in India"
If u believe it or not i personally feel atleast 4% will be bcoz of this Jharkand Jaadugar.
If India wants to win the cup he needs to stay atleast for 15 overs every match.
So do u need anything more to win the cup.
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