2011 Cricket World Cup Preview
Cricket expert Angus Palmer breaks down the upcoming cricket World Cup in a Making The Nut exclusive…
ICC World Cup 2011 will be hosted by three sub-continent nations, namely Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India. Fourteen teams are grouped into two groups and there are seven teams in each group. Pakistan, Australia, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Canada, Zimbabwe, and Kenya are teamed in group A whereas South Africa, India, West Indies, England, Ireland, Bangladesh, and Netherlands are teamed in group B. The Super 6 and/or Super 8 format has been scraped and we are back to the top 4 from each pool going through to contest in the quarter finals.
It hasbeen 12 years since we have seen a tightly contested World Cup, and boy, what a contest it was, and in that time Australia hasonly been pushed once by England at Port Elizabeth in 2003. Australia's World Cup form has been so dominant since that tie at Edgbaston in 1999, that even the most pessimistic Australian supporter yawned at the thought of another predictable result. This time around, things will be a little bit more unpredictable. This will be an absorbing contest with any of the top 4 ICC ranked teams capable of winning it.
The three reasons why Australia won't continue on their winning way, and it's nothing to do with their poor Ashes form:
1) The surfaces in the subcontinent bring players back to the field if they aren't able to immediately adjust.
2) The format, unlike the super 6 or 8 format which was used previously, means one upset after the preliminary games and you are gone. Australia in 2003 and 2007 really only played two sudden death games.
3) Although still ranked No.1 ODI team on the ICC rankings, they are not as talented as Australian teams before them. Furthermore because of the effects of T20 cricket, most teams have caught up, or aren't far off the benchmark that Australia ihas set.
Team form, predictions and players to watch:
Australia
Will make the semis and if things go their way, they should make another World Cup final appearance. Another World Cup win would be a great way to partially erase the pain of a disastrous home summer. The worry for Australia is the spate of injuries that have happened and how that could disrupt their quest. Their squad is a mixture of young talent and experience. Watson will continue on his merry way. The spin option is a worry and how the rest of the attack will go is another.
Will make the semis, luck and injury toll will govern the rest.
Players to watch: Shane Watson, Brett Lee, Brad Haddin
Bangladesh
A team on the improve and playing at home they can't be considered an ODI minnow for this WC. They are now producing world class players and have the capability of making the quarter finals with a strong showing against England or the West Indies. Away on bouncy wickets, their batsmen struggle against the pace and bounce, so in their own backyard they will be able to avoid the pace batteries they have previously struggled against. They also boast the No.1 ranked allrounder. They provide huge nuisance value.
Could make the quarter finals, but will go no further.
Players to watch: Shakib ul-hasan, Tamin Iqbal, Abdur Razzak
England
After their Ashes dominance people started to rate them as potential WC winners. Well I have news: they haven't ventured above 4th in the ICC ODI rankings for a long time and their final place in WC 2011 will be similar. Considering their pooling, there is a possibility they may even miss out on the quarters with an ever improving Bangladesh who will be playing at home. Their ODI strength lies with their batting; unfortunately for them I can't see their attack dominating quality batting line ups in the sub continent conditions. Recent injuries and lack of game time for some of their stars are also a concern.
Will be fighting it out with Bangladesh for a quarter final place.
Players to watch: Jonathan Trott, Andrew Strauss, Michael Yardy
India
On their home turf they are one of the favoured teams. With South Africa, have the best ODI batting line up in the world. Tendulkar is still at his best and Harbajhan and Zaheer are still as potent as ever. The expectation from the nation will be dramatic and how they react to that we will soon know. Win and India will party for four years; lose and there will be burning effigies everywhere.
Will make the semis, from here if their stars are firing they will push for a final birth.
Players to watch: Sachin Tendulkar, Harbajhan Singh, Zaheer Khan
New Zealand
Always an over performer at the World Cup, and normally jag a semi final. This time around they will be doing it a bit tougher. They have only just broken an 11 games losing streak, of which most were in India and Bangladesh. But you can't ignore their determination, intelligence and willingness for a fight in this format and if their key players fire they will surprise. Although their slower bowlers will be suited to the low slow wickets of the subcontinent, I can't see them bowling out or containing a batting line up of South Africa, India, Australia or Sri Lanka.
They will compete, but bow out in the quarter finals.
Players to watch: Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettorri, Jesse Ryder
Pakistan
These guys have talent to burn, but they are a mess at the moment. How the off field situation will effect them on the field, only time will tell. The most unpredictable of all the nations, and although I am sure there will be much hope with their supporters, they don't have the discipline to be consistent throughout the competition, and are always liable to be in an upset to a minnow nation. Pakistan is definitely a team better suited to the shorter game and their sound form without being in top notch touch previously against South Africa and New Zealand would suggest they will most definitely make the quarter finals.
Will make the quarter finals, but not go any further.
Players to watch: Shahid Afridi, Mushbah Ul Haq, Umar Akmal
South Africa
A team obviously cursed like the All Blacks when it comes to World Cups. Its been a comedy of errors at critical times for the Proteas in World Cups. Unfortunately for them, the conditions will nullify their strike power, i.e. Stein and Morkel will be blunted by the low slow wickets. They still have the capacity to get big totals, but their bowlers play on brawn more than brain and this will cause their demise. Their spinners aren't going to bamboozle any batting line up on these wickets. AB de Villiers will finish in the top 3 run-scorers. Kallis will have good numbers by the end of the tournament but bore everyone along the way.
Won't win it but will go close, if not loose in a close semi.
Players to watch: AB De Villiers, Hasham Amla, Jaques Kallis
Sri Lanka
These guys have slipt under the radar of late regarding how good a side they are. Playing at home with supportive crowds, making the final could be Murali's perfect swansong. Their intelligent and balanced side will make them a formidable foe for any team. Last time the WC was on the subcontinent they won, and their form in Australia in October shows their class. Potentially the strongest of the Asian teams.
If things go their way they will make the final.
Players to watch: Kumar Sangakarra, Mahela Jaywadene, Angelo Matthews
West Indies
Their strength lies with their batsmen and when they are all on song, they will impress, unfortunately that rarely happens. Gayle is still pounding attacks, and if Pollard can step up from twenty/20 to ODI's and along with the guile of Sarwan and Chanderpaul they will be able to chase down totals or produce totals that their innocuous bowling attack will be able to defend. Like England, Bangladesh could eliminate them from making the quarters.
Will scrape into the quarters.
Players to watch: Chris Gayle, Keiron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo
Zimbabwe, Ireland, Netherlands, Kenya, Canada………….. the minnows, they will only beat each other.
