Story ICC Battle For Supremacy - Its Fifty-Fifty! | PAK v ENG | ENG Innings

[Gaurav_7]

No, didn't follow any tutorial for that. Cheers for all the appreciation guys.

 

[surendar]

No, didn't follow any tutorial for that. Cheers for all the appreciation guys.

Oh yes that tutorial which I saw was for rotating in other way.

http://www.planetcricket.org/forums/551287-post7.html

It might help you guys for future plans.

 

[Gaurav_7]

Yeah, the outcome looks solid. Might come in handy some time. I got that idea of rotating the logos by gamer's and treva's story actually.

 

[just_cricket]

Just got a chance to read through the start of this story - it's great so far!

Group A does seem tougher than Group B at first, but from New Zealand's point of view they would be pleased at the absence of Australia, South Africa and Sri Lanka, who have all given them some grief in past world tournaments.

Nice writing and presentation so far, and good work from Pranav on the simple but striking banner.

I look forward to this developing, good luck!

 

[Varun]

Nice to see Pujara and Irfan in the Indian squad.
And hasn't Freddie retired from international cricket?

 

[Gaurav_7]

Yeah, he has in real but here we'll play him.

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Now Group B comes your way

Cricket's biggest carnival - ICC Battle for Supremacy: Its Fifty-Fifty!! which starts from 19th February 2011 is getting closer each day and today we will look at the 15-men squads for the teams from Group B.

Sri Lanka

K Sangakkara (C)(WK)
M Jayawardene
M Muralitharan
T Dilshan
T Thushara
S Jayasuriya
S Randiv
T Kandamby
T Samaraweera
N Kulasekara
F Maharoof
L Malinga
A Mathews
A Mendis
C Kapugedera​

The Lankan Lions who were finalists in the last edition of the World Cup go into this one with a blend of youth and experience. They have had a mix set of results over the last year or two both on and off the field. The team came back together and have been a strong unit after being on the receiving end of a terrorist attack in Pakistan last year. They have been consistent in the shorter version of the game. On their day the Lankans are capable of taking any team apart and would be on as one of the favorites for the tournament.

X-Factor
Kumar Sangakkara the captain has been conspicuous in trying to bring a hard edge to his skilled team. He has led from the front and has always played an important match winning innings whenever his side are in trouble.

Watch Out
The silent assasin Muttiah Muralitharan will be one to watch out during this years tournament. Probably playing for the last time for Sri Lanka in a major ICC event Murali would love to end his career on a high.

Bangladesh

M Mortaza(C)
S Al Hasan
M Rahim(WK)
T Iqbal
I Kayes
M Ashraful
A Ahmed
Mahmudullah
N Islam
A Razzak
S Islam
R Hossain
S Rasel
S Shuvo
J Islam​

The implication that Bangladesh is on the rise in world cricket has become something of a cliche, but Bangladesh's chances have never been better. They are however the second most inexperienced team in their group. The conditions in the sub-continent have always supported spin bowling and this would increase Bangladesh's chances of creating a major upset. They have an excellent spin attack led by the duo of captain Shakib and limited over's veteran Razzak. A lot will rely on Bangladesh's captain Shakib Al Hasan from both bat and ball if they are to upset any of the major teams.

X-Factor
A young player with the talent to score at a blistering pace. So far Tamin Iqbal has only shwon flashes of his potential, but his form with the bat in the past year should see him change that in the tournament. If he is there after 30 overs Bangladesh will almost certainly be looking at a truly formidable total.

Watch Out
Bangladesh's spin department looks solid and their batting is better than ever but for them to win in all conditions they need this man to spearhead their pace attack. Mashrafe Mortaza can bowl fast and though we often forget it can be a very handy line and length bowler when the mood takes him.

Australia

R Ponting(C)
B Haddin(WK)
M Clarke
M Hussey
D Hussey
B Lee
M Johnson
T Paine(WK)
S Watson
C White
S Tait
N Hauritz
D Nannes
S Smith
D Warner​

The defending champions are one of the favourites to make it three in a row but there are some questions raised over the selection of the team. The squad is a mix of form players, experience, youth and raw power which has all the ingredients for winning the tournament. Gamble of the fitness and form of several players mean it's tough to predict how they will do.

X-Factor
This man has made himself one of the regulars in the Australian side since the departure of Andrew Symonds. Cameron White has played some very important knocks for the Aussies during the last year and expect him to do the same in the sub-continent contidions.

Watch Out
Shane Watson has been Australia's best performer for the last year or so. The impetus he brings to side explains why every team wants a player like him. Watson's undoubtedly a star all-rounder and what better than a tournament of this callibre to impose himself.

South Africa

G Smith(C)
M Boucher(WK)
J Kallis
H Gibbs
AB de Villiers
JP Duminy
A Morkel
M Morkel
J Botha
R van der Merwe
D Steyn
C Langeveldt
R Theron
L Bosman
W Parnell​

With numerous hartbreaking exits over the tears from international tournaments, the Proteas myst be looking at this tournament as the best opportunity to shed theur 'Chocker's tag. The team haven't played much international cricket this year and this could be a blessing in disguise as they found quality time to spend with the coach and the team management to formulate team strategy.

X-Factor
Dale Steyn has been instrumental to South Africa's over the recent years. He has been fierce, pacy and accurate. Having played for Bangalore in the IPL, Steyn would know everything about the conditions in the sub-continent.

Watch Out
The man who has been in sensational form with both bat and ball of late for both South Africa and Bangalore, will look to keep his form during the tournament. Much will depend on how Smith chooses to use Jacques Kallis in the team, as the binder at the top or in his usual one-drop.

Zimbabwe

E Chingumbura(C)
T Taibu(WK)
G Cremer
C Chibhabha
C Coventry
C Ervine
G Lamb
H Masakadza
A Blignaut
C Mpofu
R PRice
E Rainsford
V Sibanda
B Taylor
P Utseya ​

Zimbabwe have named a full-strength squad led by allrounder Elton Chigumbura for the ICC Battle for Supremacy that begins on Fabruary 19 in Delhi. Zimbabwe last played an ODI series in October against fello African side South Africa which they lost 3-0, and have made no changes in their squad.

X-Factor
Opener Brendan Taylor has been consistent but it's Hamilton Masakadza who provides Zimbabwe the X-factor at the top. A lot depends on him if Zimbabwe are to get an aggressive start. Masakadza is unafraid to go over the top and has the skill to accompany that attitude.

Watch Out
Since his record-breaking unbeaten 194 against Bangladesh last year, Charles Coventry has scored just two fifties. Although it's too much to expect a repeat performance, the best he can do is show more consistency in the middle order, and prove that his blinder of a knock was no fluke.

 

[hedger_14]

lol. Shaun Tait is in the ODI side over Bollinger, the second best pace bowler in Australia at the moment.

 

[Gaurav_7]

Take it as Bollinger is injured. We can't include each and everyone, you know.

 

[Varun]

David Warner is fifty-fifty world cup ? Aussie selectors FAIL.

 

[Dutchmen]

Freddie haven't been retired? amazing!

 

[Gaurav_7]

David Warner is fifty-fifty world cup ? Aussie selectors FAIL.

Umm, why not? He's a good player. Who knows he might walk away with Man of the series here maybe?

Freddie haven't been retired? amazing!

As I said, he is allowed here.

Remember guys, this is a story. We sometimes do certain things that will save our time and I must add those are minor things. We also don't follow other nations' Cricket much so we ought to select some non-regulars. Hope that doesn't make you lose your interest here. We'll be bringing in some more things which I at present cannot tell. Cheers!

 

[Aditya]

Do whatever you guys feel would be good for this story. I always like to see some new stuff in stories. I personally like the selection of Freddie in the England side. He makes the England side a good contender to win the world cup.

Nice going User and Shan.

 

[Bounce]

The story is going great thus far. Looks very promising. Writings are good.
This would be the only story I'll start following in recent times.

Cheers and best of luck.

 

[Gaurav_7]

Callum Gray speaks about NZ

As we get closer to the action, we try to look more into the teams but with views of National enthusiasts. One such Kiwi fan, Callum Gray (CG123) speaks to us about the chances of New Zealand in the upcoming ICC Battle of Supremacy.

Here are the excerpts...

Your take on the NZ squad...
It's pretty predictable really. The only thing I would have changed is I would have brought in Andy McKay for James Franklin. Franklin's been tried an tried at the international level, and continues to fail, it's just taking a backwards step as far as I'm concerned. McKay's shown he can get the ball up into the 140's regularly, which is something our squad doesn't have. We're going into the World Cup with only three specialist bowlers, and that could be a real mistake on the flat sub-continent tracks.

Group A, toughest?
By a mile. Easily the two worst teams are both in the same group, pretty much giving the three major teams in group B a massive advantage. Lets face it, outside Australia, and maybe the West Indies, the other six/seven major countries are all just as good as each other on their day, so why would you give South Africa and Sri Lanka a one in two chance of making it into the semi-finals, while the other four/five major countries all having to battle it out in the same group.

Going into the match against India, what would your XI be like?
1. Jesse Ryder
2. Brendon McCullum (wk)
3. Martin Guptill
4. Ross Taylor
5. Grant Elliott/Kane Williamson
6. Scott Styris
7. Jacob Oram
8. Daniel Vettori (c)
9. Nathan McCullum
10. Kyle Mills
11. Tim Southee/Daryl Tuffey

I can't see either Franklin or Hopkins making the XI.

Player you look upon for NZ to go long in this battle...
Obviously the big names, like Vettori, Bazza, Mills, and Rosco, but one to watch out for is the older McCullum brother, Nathan. His spin on the flat sub-continent tracks is going to be vital, in terms of backing up Vettori.

Your favorite Kiwi moment?
It would have to be leading up to the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies, when we whitewashed Australia three nil. To bad we couldn't produce that sort of performance in our semi-final against Sri Lanka.

Your favorite player?
None other than Daniel Vettori. Yes I'll even admit it myself, he's not the greatest test match bowler going around, but in limited overs cricket, he's something special.

India v New Zealand, winner?
Both sides look really even, so it's a tough one to pick. I'd obviously give India the favourites tag playing at home, but I'm a loyal man, so I'll have to go with New Zealand.

Chances of NZ in this comp...
I'm probably thinking along the lines of, we'll get knocked out yet again in the semi-finals. Our squad's definitely got the goods to go all the way, but that elusive final may yet again evade us.

We would like to thank Callum for giving his crucial time to us and as we move along, we will try to get the opinions of other Cricket Pundits as well.