World Cup 2007 - Preview thread

[aussie_ben91]

I wouldn't rule South Africa out though seeing as Smith doesn't average 50 odd in Tests anymore, it kinda takes the noticement of how valueable a batsman he really is but for me, it just doesn't feel like it's there year. Remember they suffered an 140 run loss to Pakistan aswell. I'd expect Mohammad Asif to bowl Pakistan into the Semi-Finals and then hopefully get knocked off by Australia.

 

[irottev]

SA are strong, they did have that shocker against Pakistan though. There are weaknesses like having no quality frontline spinner. Not sure how much the West Indies will suit them. We will have to wait and see. You would expect them to be one of the better sides though.

 

[aussie1st]

With the small grounds in the Caribbean SA should be fine not having a specialist spinner. Batting wise they definitely look strong, if Smith fires or Gibbs then they just need one of their big hitters like Kemp or Boucher to fire they will get close to 400. The bowling looks to be the weak point for most team this tournament as most sides attacks are going for a lot of runs lately.

 

[MUFC1987]

It seems that both Hayden and Watson could start the WC opening, with Gilchrist not attending the first match to be at the birth of his child. I guess that also guarentees Brad Haddin a place in the squad. It may only be Scotland, but they can fire every now and again.

 

[handsome]

I wl say that ausrtalia vs india for semi1 and southafrica vs west indeis semi2

 

[BigCrickNan]

With the small grounds in the Caribbean SA should be fine not having a specialist spinner. Batting wise they definitely look strong, if Smith fires or Gibbs then they just need one of their big hitters like Kemp or Boucher to fire they will get close to 400. The bowling looks to be the weak point for most team this tournament as most sides attacks are going for a lot of runs lately.

If South Africa's bowling is weak then god help us .

 

[aussie1st]

If South Africa's bowling is weak then god help us .

They conceded 434 against us and 350 odd against Pakistan, you don't concede that if you are strong.

Reading the reports our squad will be
Gilly
Hayden
Ponting
Clarke
Symonds
Hussey
Watson
Hogg
Lee
Bracken
McGrath
Johnson
Tait
Haddin
Hodge

 

[irottev]

Gilchrist isn't very good at maths :/

He's going to miss a few of the opening games because his wife is having a kid.

 

[BigCrickNan]

They conceded 434 against us and 350 odd against Pakistan, you don't concede that if you are strong.

But Ntini is on his best form at the moment and Pollock is... always good. I would say their bowling is better than Australias at the moment.

 

[Sureshot]

South Africa change their bowling attack too much. As for conceding 434, they won the game didn't they?

Your bowling attack can be as bad as that but if you can chase it down then it's not a massive problem.

Yeh that game was a one off but South Africa are a strong team with a good bowling attack. Better when Hall is playing, should be more of a regular.

 

[irottev]

But Ntini is on his best form at the moment and Pollock is... always good. I would say their bowling is better than Australias at the moment.

http://content-nz.cricinfo.com/rsavpak/engine/match/250669.html

These are not pretty figures. On good pitches, since they lack variaion in their bowlers, they will get taken for a lot of runs. I still think Australia have a better attack.

 

[BigCrickNan]

http://content-nz.cricinfo.com/rsavpak/engine/match/250669.html

These are not pretty figures. On good pitches, since they lack variaion in their bowlers, they will get taken for a lot of runs. I still think Australia have a better attack.

That was one game on an extremely flat pitch. They've bowled brilliantly most of the time.

 

[Dare]

it depends who which country has better spinners and i would give the edge to Australia because they have Symonds who is a good option for a spinner ceirtanly better than Smith. the pitches in the world cup will be almost like the subcontinent ones and a good spinner would be useful.

 

[irottev]

That was one game on an extremely flat pitch. They've bowled brilliantly most of the time.

Well, I watched highlights, and Ntini did bowl a lot of half volleys in that last spell. There were poor balls.

 

[puddleduck]

He is a bit hit and miss Irottev, but when he's on song he's a real danger. He seems a bit like a Harmison in that respect, also in that he often seems to need regular cricket and lots of overs to be at his best. I say a bit like Harmy, but then he is a better bowler than Harmy at the moment!