World Cup 2007 - Preview thread

[prarara]

Does anyone here think not including Powar was a mistake? He may be expensive, but it seems that Manjrekar and Shastri think he's a good wicket taking option.
http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/talk/content/multimedia/feature.html?genre=4

 

[SaiSrini]

I can understand why your username is "Justcrazy".

Dont say that! For all you know, he might be laughing at the end of the World Cup.

These world cups bring with them the element of miracles. Sheer miracles happen at World Cups and they're prone to it!

Ganguly, last year during the big conflict with Chappell, said during an interview that he is going play for 2 more cups. Hard to belive though. But still they aren't that old. Tendulkar, I agree is tiring out after 17+ years of cricket, but when people like Jayasuria are playing at 37 why can't Dravid, Tendulkar, and Ganguly? He's still fantastic!
Kumble, last World Cup for sure. I think he may still play tests for a bit but forget about the ODI scene.

I think the seniors will have to be forced out by the next world cup, if they do not hang their boots. ODI's are fast becoming a youngster's game and it rarely has places for old legs. for this world cup, india are compromising on some good ground fielders for old experienced hands in batting. i dont want ganguly and dravid to go till 2011 world cup. ganguly and tendulkar wont... i dont want dravid also. let the youngsters take over!

Does anyone here think not including Powar was a mistake? He may be expensive, but it seems that Manjrekar and Shastri think he's a good wicket taking option.
http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/talk/content/multimedia/feature.html?genre=4

I dont think it was a mistake. Kumble and Harbhajan can be good wicket takers. Kumble is not that bad. He is highly economical in the middle overs, and tightens the noose on the batsman. Harbhajan is also similar, but he is naturally more attacking. We have these two highly experienced guys this time. We are well served.

Powar could have improved his fitness and fielding skills to get a berth. He is too slow on the ground.

 

[kodos]

Dont say that! For all you know, he might be laughing at the end of the World Cup.

These world cups bring with them the element of miracles. Sheer miracles happen at World Cups and they're prone to it!

Agreed, I think we all remember Kenya qualifying into the 03 semi final. We may see this again with another minnow team, imagine Bermuda qualifying into the semis

 

[aussie1st]

Agreed, I think we all remember Kenya qualifying into the 03 semi final. We may see this again with another minnow team, imagine Bermuda qualifying into the semis

Thats one miracle too far Maybe a Kenya or Bangladesh could make it if they can get one upset and have some forfeited games again.

 

[SaiSrini]

Thats one miracle too far Maybe a Kenya or Bangladesh could make it if they can get one upset and have some forfeited games again.

I seriously hope India doesnt get involved in any one of those upsets. They are in the same group as the resurgent Sri Lanka and an upset could cause them heartburns!

I seriously want to see a sub-continental final. Have we had such instances before? Would be awesome. India-Pakistan, India-Sri Lanka or Pakistan-Sri Lanka (I dont want this!)

 

[aussie1st]

Don't think that has happened usually an outsider in the final along with the sub continent sides.
Would be a surprise not seeing at least one of either SA or Aus in the final but of course anything can happen with injuries and luck.

Group B and C are probably where the upsets could occur with Bangladesh and Kenya in them.

 

[aussie_ben91]

I seriously hope India doesnt get involved in any one of those upsets. They are in the same group as the resurgent Sri Lanka and an upset could cause them heartburns!

I seriously want to see a sub-continental final. Have we had such instances before? Would be awesome. India-Pakistan, India-Sri Lanka or Pakistan-Sri Lanka (I dont want this!)

I'd prefer a classic match of Australia vs South Africa if anything and it's about time someone other then Australia got something unbelievable happen to them in the badder way. If it's India then so be it.

Australia vs South Africa final. Best two ODI teams in the world by a bit.

I'm also backing England to do well in the WC aswell on the back of their CBS win. They'll be in the Semi's.

 

[aussie1st]

Could be any of the 8 teams in the semis really, all have shown they can beat each other on any given day. Will depend on how each team handles the Caribbean conditions.

 

[anandbatra]

WC: Australia v/s Sri Lanka final?

I think we'll see a Aus v/s SL final at the WC.

Both teams look well balanced. SL have been playing very well in the past year. Australia have been playing very well for close to a decade now.

I don't think any other team can match these two teams(WI and SA probably). South Africa have been winning matches at home of late, but their main strength i.e. fast bowling won't be as effective in the WI as it is in SA.

For example, Ntini and Nel can afford to bowl short on SA pitches. But, on the slower WI pitches, do you think they will be as effective bowling their usual length?

WI seem to be the dark horse. I think WI, SA, Aus and SL are the four teams that will most likely reach the semi finals.

England, India and Pakistan have been too inconsistent in the past two-three years. New Zealand seem to have a lot of trouble with their top order, especially in the last one year.

Your views?

 

[symonds_sixes]

I suggest you copy and paste this into the World Cup thread and delete this one.

 

[aussie_ben91]

Nah, I don't think so. I don't think any of the subcontient teams will make the finals. Closest I reckon will get their is Pakistan who'll drop out in the Semi's. I'm predicting a Australia v South Africa final.

 

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

I think we got a World Cup thread , so put it on there .

 

[smssia0112]

I'd prefer a classic match of Australia vs South Africa if anything and it's about time someone other then Australia got something unbelievable happen to them in the badder way. If it's India then so be it.

Australia vs South Africa final. Best two ODI teams in the world by a bit.

I'm also backing England to do well in the WC aswell on the back of their CBS win. They'll be in the Semi's.

I'd have to agree with the finals tip, although I'm not so sure about England. I still think they'll bow out in the Super 8s. I'd tip them to make 5th or 6th, compared with my old prediciton of 8th.

 

[SaiSrini]

Nah, I don't think so. I don't think any of the subcontient teams will make the finals. Closest I reckon will get their is Pakistan who'll drop out in the Semi's. I'm predicting a Australia v South Africa final.

On the contrary, I think Australia might struggle to reach the final. The wickets wont have much pace in them and will have turn too. And Australia have proved that they are beatable (England beat them for a series in their own backyard).

So dont be too confident of an Australian final!

 

[sohum]

I don't think consistency really matters in the world cup. It comes down to about 7 games to take a World Cup (maybe slightly more this time around) so if you find your touch during the group stages, that should be good enough to carry you through. I think West Indies will ruffle some feathers. I wouldn't pick Sri Lanka as one of the finalists, though.