By Denzil Fernandes
Feb 13: If you ever happen to be in Australia or New Zealand you can feel a cricket buzz that is not only entertaining but also fearsome. Almost every cricketing nation that is taking part in the 2015 ICC World Cup co hosted by both Australia and New Zealand has come with a shipload of supporters to cheer them up on the cricket ground. However, there is plenty of extra cheer reserved by their home supporters especially for Australia who are showing every sign of outplaying their opponents in the World Cup.
After going through a tough time re grouping themselves since the departure of eminent players like Warne, Ponting, Hayden, Gilchrist, Hussey and others Australia look like a settled side now under coach Darren Lehmann although injured skipper Michael Clarke is yet to join the playing XI. Nevertheless, despite Clarke’s absence the Aussies have shown remarkable composure and have performed admirably in all matches leading upto the tournament.
With a ‘no nonsense’ approach, in a practice match played just a couple of days earlier against India, Australia hammered a 300 plus score against a hapless Indian bowling and showed their class right through winning by 106 runs ! A perfect preparation indeed for Australia.
The World Cup matches start on Feb.14th when Australia meets formidable England in Melbourne while other co host New Zealand plays against Sri Lanka at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Both matches are expected to be tough openers for the co hosts.
Almost every single player in the Aussie squad has peaked and is performing with a touch of class. However, one player who will send shivers in the opposing batsmen will be speed merchant Mitchell Johnson who may turn out to be the ‘player of the tournament’ if he does not get injured midway. ‘Mitch’ has been brilliant with the ball and has been unplayable on his home pitches. Along with Johnson there will be Hazelwood and Starc to hurry the ball in ideal conditions on tailor made home pitches. Cummins is another bowler who can take wickets at crucial times.
There will be plenty of pace on the Australian pitches which their fast bowlers will like. Others in super form include opener Warner, terrific all rounders Maxwell, Watson and Faulkner, batsmen Smith, Marsh and a fresh and possibly fit skipper in Michael Clarke. There is a stock of run getters apart from the pacers who will unsettle any batsman. Talented stroke makers too will get an opportunity to score runs quickly on hard pitches where the ball will come nicely.
Despite all the shock treatment which is ever present in the shorter format no one can rule out Australia making their progress in the World Cup. With an array of batsmen almost till the end there will be no dearth of runs at any time. If Warner gives a quick start one can be sure that there will be bucket full of runs. And with the type of pace bowlers and brilliant fielding the Aussies are not going to let their home advantage dither away.
Australia will start as the No.1 ranked one day team followed by India and South Africa in the rankings. Familiarity of their home pitches will mean a lot for the Aussies who will be determined to win in front of their supporters. Before they get into the knock out stages, Australia have to get past England, Sri Lanka and West Indies apart from lesser known teams like Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and Scotland which should not be too difficult. World Cup victory will also be a great tribute to one of their star players Philip Hughes who was felled to death by a nasty bouncer in Sydney last year.
Loads of new talent coming from various teams will be the key for the teams to shock their opponents.
Teams like the former giants West Indies have arrived with a set of inexperienced players except for Gayle and Samuels. Even their mystery spinner Sunil Narine had to withdraw due to a suspect bowling action. Star performers like Pollard and Bravo have not been selected surprisingly thus making the West Indies a weak unit. Sri Lanka who have missed the Cup at least in the last two finals can be a threat just like co hosts New Zealand who have a very strong batting lineup. South Africa will be a strong contender with the likes of skipper A.B. de Villiers, Steyn and Hamla in their squad. England who have never won the Cup will try under new skipper Morgan will turn the tide. India has the arsenal but the question is if they will fire with no hesitation. Pakistan’s unpredictability makes them a side which can rise or fall even before you realize.
In any case, as it stands, Australia look good to last till the end. But as said before, one day games can ‘make’ or ‘break’ a team. The steely resolve and the gutsy display will determine if the Aussies deserve to lift the prestigious 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup. But one has to be careful with the Springboks and the Kiwis lurking like wolves in case the trophy slips off from the grasp of the Kangaroos!