Group A - Australia, Netherlands, Scotland, South Africa

[Pak_cricketer]

Come On Scots! Beat Australia Early so they don't win the WC again.

 

[Iron-Haggis]

I think it's interesting how just 2 weeks ago Australia were looking like the would cruise through the whole World Cup, but right now if they played a qualifying tournament against the minnows they would probably get knocked out. Just goes to show how quickly form can change.

Scotland and Netherlands have the ability to give the Aussies and Saffas a little bit of a challenge and lets hope they do.

 

[ZexyZahid]

I think South Africa will top this group with Australia being second. Also I've got a feeling one of these two teams will be in the World Cup final.

 

[aussie_ben91]

Just thinking about it now. Probably Australia wouldn't be bad off playing 5 bowlers.

Hogg
Lee
Bracken
Tait
McGrath

On smallish grounds, if Lee plays then even if he half hits it'll probably go for six and Hogg can push around the strike either. The selectors don't seem to have any faith in Watson at the top of the order when Gilly or Hayden's playing and Watson can't seem to hit out at number 7 so I don't really see any reason to play him.

 

[icyman]

New Zealands win has proved that the Aussies are beatable.
I have a feeling that they will not lift the trophy this tiem round.

 

[aussie1st]

Problem is will Hogg's bowling hold up? His form of late hasn't been good with no wickets during the middle stages when we desperately need them and hes always got that feel about him where hes going to get smashed. Whereas when a Vettori, Murali come on to bowl you know they will be able to keep it tight and pick up some wickets.

 

[Cricketman]

Australia's failures in recent times is for me there lack of a quality spin bowler in the ODI side, just like many other teams. South Africa has managed to do well without one due to the awesome-ness of Pollock's economy and wicket taking ability. I think this has finally got to them after greats like McGrath are tiring, and losing steam.
I seriously doubt that Aus won't life the cup this time around, and even if they do, they'll struggle.
Lets go SCOTS!

 

[sifter132]

Australia's failures in recent times is for me there lack of a quality spin bowler in the ODI side, just like many other teams. South Africa has managed to do well without one due to the awesome-ness of Pollock's economy and wicket taking ability. I think this has finally got to them after greats like McGrath are tiring, and losing steam.
I seriously doubt that Aus won't life the cup this time around, and even if they do, they'll struggle.
Lets go SCOTS!

I don't know...the only games (bar one) that Hogg has played in this summer have been the last 4 - the ones we've lost. Maybe if you do play a spinner, you need to make sure he's good? The Sri Lankans seem to get away with all sorts of guys bowling spin opposite Murali. Is it just the lack of responsive wickets that has dented Hogg, or poor form?

Perhaps another reason for our 4 losses is the tapering we are doing with our training and if that's the case, then we should be in excellent shape (fitness wise) for the World Cup.

But I would be really shocked to see any upsets here. Yes it's quite the trend to say Aussies could lose to anyone, but it would be a 1 in 100 chance if they lost to Scotland, in my opinion.

 

[Cricketman]

I don't know...the only games (bar one) that Hogg has played in this summer have been the last 4 - the ones we've lost. Maybe if you do play a spinner, you need to make sure he's good? The Sri Lankans seem to get away with all sorts of guys bowling spin opposite Murali. Is it just the lack of responsive wickets that has dented Hogg, or poor form?

Perhaps another reason for our 4 losses is the tapering we are doing with our training and if that's the case, then we should be in excellent shape (fitness wise) for the World Cup.

But I would be really shocked to see any upsets here. Yes it's quite the trend to say Aussies could lose to anyone, but it would be a 1 in 100 chance if they lost to Scotland, in my opinion.

At least they have that one quality spinner in Mulari.
They also have Sanath Jayasuriya (sp) who in my opinion is quality.
Hogg hasn't impressed me all that much.

 

[aussie1st]

I agree not having a very good spin bowler is costing us, in games where our opening bowlers have failed this is where we need a spinner that can get us some wickets or keep it very tight.
Now I know there isn't much we can do as our WC squad has been picked and our selectors haven't tried any other spinner which is understandable given Hogg wasn't used much either so we just have to pray our quick men get their act together.

 

[Cricketman]

But, you still have a very dependable bowling lineup in the likes of McGrath, Lee, Tait, and Bracken, not to mention a fiery bowler in Mitch Johnson
I don't think Lee will do well with his pace and the slow pitches and small grounds of the WI. I think the likes of McGrath will though, even if he's old, the pidge is a legend.

 

[symonds_sixes]

I think Hogg is a very good spin bowler. Not many players can pick him (Flintoff ). We're going to struggle early with half our side out (most of which could probably make the world side

 

[aussie1st]

Not much good if he isn't taking wickets though. Plus the spin playing teams won't have much problems with him and with those small grounds we could see a lot of 6s.

 

[aussie_ben91]

I think it's about time Shane Warne made a return and gave the rest of the world a heart attack.

 

[aussie1st]

Now there is a spinner I would have confidence in, could well have stopped all these record totals we are conceding.