ICC Cricket World Cup 2011

KM said:
Hugely nervous about tommorow's game tbh, our bowling has improved in the last two matches so hopefully we could do something about that. Personally I think we should drop Pathan and play Raina, if everyone's fit, this would be my team

Sachin
Sehwag
Gambhir
Kohli
Yuvraj
Raina
Dhoni
Ashwin
Harbhajan
Zaheer
Munaf
Click to expand...

That would leave India with only 4 bowlers. Having Pathan, together with Yuvraj gives Dhoni an extra option if any of the main bowlers had an off day or an injury.

Yuvi has taken the pressure of Bhaji who has been a major disappointment in the tournament.
 
I would even play Ashwin instead of Pathan.

And Nehra for Munaf.. I think he was our best bowler after he came back from injury for about 12 months.. Munaf's very limited. Never looks like he'll take a wicket. Nehra can do that.
 
Sultan said:
India have a much better team than the Aussies. You're probably fearing Australia by it's past reputation.
Click to expand...

India are the talented neutrals' favourites, a bit like Arsenal. Australia know how to win, its in their blood despite the poor(er) squad, a bit like Manutd.
 
Yep, Munaf should be dropped but i doubt it because unless Sreesanth (who has history with Australia) - well he has a bit of history with every team! Unless Sreesanth comes in i can't see Munaf being dropped because of Left and Right seam attack is preferred to 2 Left seamers, a bit of variety is more important and that's the way Dhoni and the background staff probably see it as well.
 
Dumpstar said:
India are the talented neutrals' favourites, a bit like Arsenal. Australia know how to win, its in their blood despite the poor(er) squad, a bit like Manutd.
Click to expand...

Aussies are the new Liverpool ready to be knocked off their perch.
 
Spoony Youngblood said:
What's their secret? good weather? according to Wiki 25% of the population participates in sports.
Click to expand...

We have a strong sporting culture and success breads from that. We don't like to lose and that fuels our passion. There are sports that we're not so crash hot at but alot of that is to do with the diversity in our sports. We have 2 main footballing codes, followed by Union and Association Football so that kind of dilutes alot of our potential association Football success as well as track and field. Then we have Netball which is one of the most played sports and Basketball isn't that bad here. Our cycling is coming strong as well with the success of Evans and Robbie McCewen and Mark Webber isn't doing too bad for our motor racing success 'despite the fact alot of people hate him'

Cricket is our main summer sport so its never short of numbers and we like our summers :D Also the reason why we have such good swimmers as well.

My problem with Australian sporting culture is that its too diverse. We'll never have a Football world cup next to our name even though we have some of the best athletes in the world. It would be nice if Football could come to dominate but it won't. Our lack of trophies etc with what we would consider our Golden generation 'Kewell, Viduka, Emerton, Schwarzer, Cahill and Neil' hasn't done wonders for the sport. Getting to two World cups was massive but the Asian Cup this year would have been for me, the major push and without success you can't bread passion.
 
Various people I know who did exchange programs in high school to places like Germany and Japan have commented on how they've noticed that in PE class in those countries, kids are noticably less co-ordinated and less competent at sports.

It's something I also noticed myself when I moved here. Don't know what it is, but the sunshine helps, I'm sure.
 
I can't wait for the India - Aussie game but I have a bad feeling for India. Their bowling is absolutely crap. But this is the best team India has put together in a long time. So if they don't win this time, I m not sure if they are going to get a better chance.
 
Sehwag plays for India right? Even a 70% fit Sehwag is a big plus at the top of the order. As for Australia...everything that can go wrong has gone wrong, so time for all the experience and class to rise one more time. Otherwise the proud and amazing streak of WC trophies will end in a matter of hours.
 
RDCR07 said:
I can't wait for the India - Aussie game but I have a bad feeling for India. Their bowling is absolutely crap. But this is the best team India has put together in a long time. So if they don't win this time, I m not sure if they are going to get a better chance.
Click to expand...
I too fear for us for this game, but I'm pretty sure we'll have lots of chances in the future. We've grown as a cricketing force incredibly in the last 10 years with a huge up swing in belief, aggression and winning mentality. This is evident especially from our test performances which have taken us to the number one spot and great away performances and results which was a non occurrence in the past. And the signs are that we will continue to grow. Not claiming we'll dominate for decades or anything, but that we will be amongst the top sides for a fairly long time now IMO.
 
amolbhatia100 said:
I too fear for us for this game, but I'm pretty sure we'll have lots of chances in the future. We've grown as a cricketing force incredibly in the last 10 years with a huge up swing in belief, aggression and winning mentality. This is evident especially from our test performances which have taken us to the number one spot and great away performances and results which was a non occurrence in the past. And the signs are that we will continue to grow. Not claiming we'll dominate for decades or anything, but that we will be amongst the top sides for a fairly long time now IMO.
Click to expand...

The future does look bright but think of the last time we were in the top two places in international cricket. I mean #1 in tests and #2 in ODI's at the same time. I can't think of us being in such good positions for as long as I could remember. We have been in such good form these two to three years. But I guess you don't get an easy run anywhere. To be the best, you have to beat the best.
 
RDCR07 said:
The future does look bright but think of the last time we were in the top two places in international cricket. I mean #1 in tests and #2 in ODI's at the same time. I can't think of us being in such good positions for as long as I could remember. We have been in such good form these two to three years. But I guess you don't get an easy run anywhere. To be the best, you have to beat the best.
Click to expand...

And it will continue. We've turned a corner. I'd frankly want us to be the best team in the world rather than win one odd world cup and disappear into the realms of being average. So we have turned a corner and I don't think we'll go back to our timid ways now for a long time, barring little spurts here and there.

The coverage has been rubbish so far. All they've spoken about Ricky Ponting this, Ricky Ponting that, and how he's a legend, and kept going back to 2003.
 
Well anywhere in India, it is going to be a batting pitch and the team that wins the toss will want to bat first!
 
People are underestimating this Aussie batting lineup. Lot of average players but they can easily get 300+ against this Indian bowling attack. I think we're out if we bat second.
 
JayWalker said:
Raina comes in for Pathan, good change, dave hussey in the side is also a good change for Oz.

Getting the top 2 and Hussey Bros. out as soon as possible will be key for India.
Click to expand...

You do lose a bowling option with Pathan. Sehwag and Yuvraj could play a big role alongside the regular bowlers.
 
feck, big blow to lose the toss.

Just imagine the pressure on the players if Australia get over 250. I can see a messy end to this one with the crowd getting on the team's backs.
 
India are a very good chasing team but I don't like them chasing today. The pressure on them is too much. Plus the openers do their job and the problem for India is that their middle/lower order has not clicked in big games this WC.
 
This was my fear. Batting first is a clear advantage for us given our reliance on spin.
 
amolbhatia100 said:
feck, big blow to lose the toss.

Just imagine the pressure on the players if Australia get over 250. I can see a messy end to this one with the crowd getting on the team's backs.
Click to expand...

You really think they will struggle to get 250? I mean come on. I ll be happy if we restrict them to 275-280.
 
How good are their spinners? They will have a big part in this match especially later on when the pitch slows down and there is more spin.
 
The Taurean said:
One way, I see the Australian pace attack stunted a bit since they will be bowling late in the day when the pitch has seen the wear. Another way, I fear the pressure the team might pile on itself batting second.
Click to expand...

Brett Lee is dangerous anytime any day. I have not seen a lot of Johnson and Tait to say anything about them.
 
Anthem sent shivers down my spine today.

Re RDCR07, I do think 250 could be a big problem. The pressure an Indian team would face in a knockout match at home is unreal. It's like Pakistan yesterday. I think had Windies got 260, Pakistan could have really wilted.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.