M talkin of the on-field action going on in the last 3-4 weeks.
First South Africa sweep Australia 4-1 in the Commonwealth Banks Series. The Proteas showed complete team effort. Each and every member of the playing eleven including the debutants Tsotsobe and Parnell made the 'Roos' pant and gasp at their ability to fight through the game. Australia are sure struggling a bit to find the winning combination. Ponting, Johnson, Haddin, M-Hussey and Bracken are well set players while rest of the squad still need to find their ground. The side clearly missed Symonds and Lee.
Even then Australia played pretty well, but South Africa- captained by a diligent Johan Botha - did two things better than the Aussies, capitalise on the Aussies' weaknesses and fightback from even the worst situation. Otherwise both sides are pretty even n paper. Albie Morkel, the class finisher, deserved the man-of-the series award as his class finishing act in Game 1 & 3 were the major highlight of the series. New Zealand took advantage of a beleagured Aussie side and won the first two games, but Ponting & co did well to fight back. Vettori could still pull off the series if does the two distinct things which Botha did.
Then comes India beating Sri Lanka at the latter's home. Sri-Lanka have a home-win record of 72.72% at home games. Highest for any country at home. But Dhoni & Co. Seem to have gained the confidence which Australia formerly had. Dhoni has given each of his boys the confidence to play their own games and let them grow with experience and yet able to manage all of these ambitious guys well enough.
But the most surprising of all events was West Indies thrashing England by an innings and 23 runs! When Kevin Peitersen was bowled out for nought by Jerome Taylor, Preity Zinta might have been pretty pleased that her $150,000 worth of purschase castled Vijay Mallya's $1.55 million for a duck!!
Last month Bangladesh and Zimbabwe were close to pulling off upset victories over Sri Lanka. Pakistan seems to be the most listless team thanks to their administration problems. But they have a lot of ability and hopefull Younis Khan can get the spunk back in them, like what Imran Khan did for his boys in late eighties.
So hopefully cricket remains as competitive and World Cup 2011 throws up spme great cricket unlike the previous excuse of a World Cup in the Carribean.
It certainly is boring when games are one-sided. Thats why Twenty20 is so popular cos even a team like Zimbabwe could topple over Aussies.
So with Australia dragged down to the 3rd Rank, low-lying West Indies on the upswing, Dhoni & Boys on a rampage, the Proteas clinically breaking down every side on their way. The game never looked more exciting!
Hopefully England & Pakistan can handle their administrative issues and Sri Lanka find their spunk back!
Untill then we chant the famous Carribean quote on Cricket - "It aint ova till da fat lady sing!"
(Sorry guys the article was a bit too long! Cricket after all you know!)
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