West Indies could be on a roll

Never write off the Australians despite their recent slump in one-day cricket.

Though South Africa have now jumped to number in the one-day rankings, Australia will still be the favourites to win the World Cup in the West Indies.
England will vouch for the Australia’s determination and will to win. After their thrashing in the Ashes series in 2005 in England, Australia came back strongly and made sure of a series whitewash in the next Ashes edition.
When the Australians are wounded, they come back with telling revenge. The history of cricket bears testimony to that.
Australia’s string of defeats has certainly thrown the World Cup wide open. This has given confidence to other major contenders. But their confidence should be tempered a little with caution. They must never underestimate the power of the Australians.
With the World Cup just days away, who will be the four top contenders? Australia, South Africa, West Indies and India would most likely be the semifinalists.
If all the injured Australian players report fit in time for key matches, then the team from Down Under will, at full strength, be the strongest in the tournament.
With a batting lineup boasting Matthew Hayden, captain Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey, Andrew Symonds and Michael Clarke, Australia should have no problems putting up big scores.
The fitness of Symonds will be a key factor. Symonds is a destructive batsman who is capable of giving momentum in the middle of the innings. His extraordinary fielding abilities and more than useful bowling is a real bonus.
Ponting will always be the backbone of the side while Hayden has found his feet and form in the shorter variety of the game again.
Australia’s worry will be the bowling. The heavy defeats recently can be attributed to some extremely poor bowling. The basics of line and length seem to have been forgotten and too many four balls are being bowled at the death particularly.
Veteran Glenn McGrath is a pale shadow from his mean bowling days but with this tournament being his swansong, he may just hit the right note.
South Africa are the form team in the tournament. Back-to-back wins against India and Pakistan have given the team the right dose of confidence.
The good thing for South Africa is that their two key bowlers, Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini are in top form with the ball. Pollock has rediscovered his touch for taking wickets after a long barren spell.
Ntini has taken to the role of strike bowler very well and his knack of taking early wickets has often given the South Africans an edge. Andrew hall is proving to to be a good death bowler and may well get a permanent place in the side.
Andre Nel is a good support bowler if he does not get carried away by histrionics. The only problem is the lack of a good spin bowler and Robin Peterson is found wanting at the highest level.
The South Africans, under the guidance of the Jonty Rhodes, have turned themselves into one of the best fielding sides in the world.
Jacques Kallis will be the major player as usual with his controlled batting and bowling. With skipper Graeme Smith, Herschelle Gibbs and Justin Kemp in the star cast, South Africa will be favourites to reach the final.
However, Lady Luck has always looked the other way for South Africa in previous World Cups. This time they will pray for a smile.
India, probably have the most complete team of all in the tournament. Their star-studded batting line-up will be their main strength. Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and the exciting Yuvraj Singh will hold the middle order while the in-form Saurav Ganguly will give impetus at the start.
The bowling department is well served by medium to medium fast bowlers and the two champion spinners Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh.
But India’s problem is that they are very unpredictable. They need to concentrate and go for the big kill when it matters on a more regular basis. Fielding and catching will also be a major worry as there are some suspect fielders in the side.
Former champions West Indies have struck good one-day form of late after more than a decade in the doldrums. Home advantage will be the key factor.
But the West Indies need to show consistency if they want to get their hands on the cup. With captain Brian Lara in great touch, the other West Indians will need to play around him.
If Chris Gayle continues to take more responsibility as he has done in the recent past, then West Indies can grab the initiative early in their matches.
With Marlon Samuels now converting talent into consistency, and Shivnaraine Chanderpaul in superb touch, the batting has begun to look healthy.
If the bowlers stick to the basics without being over ambitious, then the West Indies could be on a roll.

Lara’s great touch
Babu Kalyanpur