In response to several emails - and just before the tournament begins tonight - here is my fancy for the cricket World Cup.
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you - New Zealand.
Australia are the team for them to beat, especially when both sides are on home turf, but that New Zealand batting side, even without Jesse Ryder, is an awesome machine.
Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi - any of those players can take a game away from you in quick time. Their attack is less potent, but the return of Daniel Vettori will give them important control in the middle overs and if they can bowl decently that batting machine will win plenty of games.
Of course Australia will be in there, but I feel they need Dave Warner and Aaron Finch to fire at the top of the order, as the middle order, with the exception of Steve Smith, looks more fragile.
As for the rest, South Africa can be in there, but have a nasty habit of 'choking' at the last hurdle. Much will depend on Amla, De Villiers and du Plessis with the bat, while Steyn's fitness and form is crucial to their chances.
The West Indies have no chance, as the game is sixty overs too long for them. India won't win it, simply because it is not in India and Sri Lanka rely too heavily on aging maestros who are lacking in quality support.
You never know which Pakistan side will turn up on a given day, but if you were looking for a dark horse, they might spring a shock. Zimbabwe and Bangladesh won't. Scotland and Ireland will acquit themselves well but ultimately in vain.
Which leaves England. I see them as much the same as South Africa. There is special talent in the side, but an impressive batting line up too often sees only one man contribute and that's not enough.
Similarly, after the opening bowlers, I am not convinced there's anyone that teams will worry about. Given that Sussex and Kent couldn't decide who wanted James Tredwell last year, it doesn't suggest he will wreak havoc in the opposition. The back up seamers can be very expensive and I see England as quarter-finalists, unless a few more players step up to the plate.
I would love to see your thoughts...so, what do you think?
Sri Lanka for me Peakfan, even though they're going through a difficult time at present. Some big hitters in that squad.
ReplyDeleteSomewhat off-piste but there appears to be a lack of comment within Derbyshire cricket re Krikk's success as ECB "Coach of the year".
ReplyDeleteHa ha !!
Could the elite firing squad have got it wrong ??
Well, Alec, there's little doubt that Krikk is a very good coach - his record confirms that.
ReplyDeleteAs in any sport, however, a coach who loses matches - as Krikk did too often in his last season - is always on a knife edge..
Welch came in and did well last summer overall. If we move forward this season, no one will complain. If we don't, then people will start to moan.
Such is the way of sport...