The 2nd week of ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 turned out to be a disaster for billions of sub-continental cricket fans. The week began on a bright note for the Indian cricket team. Playing against Bermuda, the mighty Indian batting line up piled up a massive total of 413/5 in 50 overs. This is the highest total recorded in any World Cup match beating the 398 scored by Sri Lanka few years ago. The Indians then went on to win the match (or shall we call it a mis-match) by a record margin of 257 runs.
This provided a strong ray of hope to the Indian supporters and they started believing that Indian team will easily make it to the Super 8 stage by beating the Lankans. In another match, Sri Lanka handsomely defeated the Bangladeshis by a huge margin of 198 runs. It was all set for a gigantic clash between two of sub-continent’s best teams. India were in a do-or-die situation after the ouster of their neighbours, Pakistan from the cup. Everything was set and we were all ready to witness the biggest match of this world cup.
On the day, Sri Lankans who were put into bat first by the Indians, were unable to get off to a flier. They struggled in getting a respectable score on board. They finished on 254/6 from 50 overs. The Indian bowling was impressive and their fielding was atleast upto the mark. Everyone expected the strong Indian batting line-up to do the job with comparative ease but they disappointed their fans yet again. The strong (on paper) batting line up crumbled like anything and managed just 185 displaying poor batting skills and in the process, confirming their exit from 2007 world cup.
In another match, Australians piled up a massive 376/6 in their 50 overs against the world number one team, South Africa. South Africans, while chasing, were bowled out for 294 in 48 overs. Australia won the match by 83 runs and sent out a clear message to their opponents. If their form continues, they won’t face too many troubles in clinching this prestigious trophy one more time.
This week (27th March to 2nd April 2007) will mark the start of Super 8 stage of the competition. From here on, all matches will become more exciting and will be of equal importance. A slightest of failure could mean the end of world cup dreams. Teams like Australia, West Indies, New Zealand and Sri Lanka will enjoy a head start as they start with 2 points each (from their wins in preliminary stages). Australia and New Zealand will have additional advantage of playing two so-called minnows, Bangladesh and Ireland. A clinical approach from both the teams should see them through to the semis with ease. Here are the matches I’d look forward to in the coming week -
- 27th Mar - West Indies v Australia (Antigua)
- 28th Mar - South Africa v Sri Lanka (Guyana)
- 29th Mar - West Indies v New Zealand (Antigua)
- 1st Apr - West Indies v Sri Lanka (Guyana)
Its disappointing to see the exit of two of the best sides in world cricket so early in the competition. Let’s all hope the respective cricket boards will take all necessary measures to ensure such things never happen in future. Let’s all hope for the sake of billions of cricket fans that their star cricketers start performing instead of wasting time doing more commercials, for a change!
